CHAPTER IX.
A MARRIAGE THAT WAS A FAILURE Denzil did not reply at once to the accusation levelled by Diana at Mrs.
Vrain, as he was too astonished at her vehemence to find his voice readily.

When he did speak, it was to argue on the side of the pretty widow.
"I think you must be mistaken," he said at length.
"But, Mr.Denzil, you declared that you suspected her yourself!" "At one time, but not now," replied Lucian decisively, "because at the time of the murder Mrs.Vrain was keeping Christmas in Berwin Manor." "Like Nero fiddling when Rome was burning," retorted Diana sharply; "but you mistake my meaning.

I do not say that Mrs.Vrain committed the crime personally, but she inspired and guided the assassin." "And who is the assassin, in your opinion ?" "Count Hercule Ferruci." "An Italian ?" "As you may guess from the name." "Now, that is strange," cried Lucian, with some excitement, "for, from the nature of the wound, I believe that your father was stabbed by an Italian stiletto." "Aha!" said Diana, with satisfaction.

"That strengthens the accusation I bring against Ferruci." "And, again," continued Denzil, hardly listening to what she was saying, "when I mentioned my suspicion about the stiletto in the hearing of Mrs.
Vrain, she fainted." "Which showed that her guilty conscience pricked her.

Oh, I am sure of it, Mr.Denzil! My stepmother and the count are the criminals!" "Our evidence, as yet, is only circumstantial," said Lucian cautiously.
"We must not jump to conclusions.