Now you know how I am so well acquainted with the case," and she laughed.
"The Princess," explained Steel, seeing Giles' astonishment, "read all about the case.
Being a friend of Miss Denham's and seeing that I had charge of the matter, she sent for me.
We have talked over the case, and I have received much assistance from Miss—I mean from this very clever lady, the Princess Karacsay," and Steel bowed.
"But," stammered Ware, still puzzled, "you believe Miss Denham to be guilty.
Surely the Princess will not——"
"No, no!" came from the divan in the deep-toned voice of the woman. "Anne is my friend.
I would not help him to arrest her."
"The fact is," said Steel easily, "I have changed my opinion, Mr. Ware, and I think Miss Denham is innocent.
The man who killed Miss Kent is called Wilson."
"Wilson. And who is Wilson, and why did he kill her?"
"I don't know who Wilson is," replied Steel. "I am trying to find out.
I am not quite certain why he killed her, but I am beginning to suspect that it was on account of this inherited money.
I told you that, Princess," he added, turning to the divan.
"Yes, Mr. Steel.
And I said then, I say now, I do not agree."
"If you would be more explicit," said Ware, feeling helpless.
Steel took no notice of him for the moment.
"Then if it's not the money I don't know what the motive can be." He turned to Ware. "See here, sir. This Wilson, whomsoever he may be, lived with the mother of Asher's office-boy—he was her lodger.
The boy told him about the money coming to Miss Kent.
Afterwards the lad had a summons given him to serve on Morley.
Wilson offered to take it, and did so.
He removed his effects from Mrs. Benker's house—she's the mother of the lad—and went down to Rickwell.
You know what happened there.
Now if he didn't kill Miss Kent on account of the money, why did he ask the office-boy about the matter?"
Giles shook his head.
"I can't say," he said, "no more than I can explain why Miss Denham helped him to escape."
"Well,"—Steel scratched his chin—"I have an idea about that.
But you must not be offended if I speak plainly, Mr. Ware."
"I shall be offended if you speak evil of my friend Miss Denham." This was from the Princess, who raised herself up with her eyes flashing angrily. "I will not have it," she said.
"Then am I to say nothing?" asked Steel ironically.
"Nothing against Miss Denham," put in Giles.
"You are both rather difficult to deal with," remarked Steel, with a shrug. "However, I'll explain, and you can draw your own inferences.
It seems from what Mrs. Benker said that Mr. Wilson was mostly out all night and in all day.
Also he was frequently absent for a long time.
He likewise took much interest in Society newspapers and in the movements of the aristocracy.
He also wore on his chain an ornament—a red-enamelled cross, in fact."
"What!" cried Giles, with a start, and he noted that the Princess started likewise, and that her face grew pale.
"He wore a red-enamelled cross," repeated Steel imperturbably, "on his watch-chain.
Mrs. Benker had been in the service of the late Lady Summersdale when the diamonds of that lady were stolen.
She remembered that a red-enamelled cross had been found in the safe whence the jewels were taken.
Wilson was amused at this.
He said that the cross was the emblem of a charitable society from which he received a weekly sum.
Well"—he hesitated and looked at his listeners—"that clue came to an end.
I lost sight of Wilson.
I then went to look for The Red Cross—the yacht, I mean!"
"What has the yacht to do with Wilson?" asked Ware angrily.
"If you remember, sir, I told you that Wilson was the man who served the summons on Mr. Morley, and who, as I believed, killed Miss Kent.
He afterwards fled with Miss Denham and went on board the yacht.
Is not that the case, sir?"