"One moment, Anne.
Your uncle stated that he was the man who lived in Florence, and that your father being a scamp lived in England.
On account of Walter George resided abroad."
"That is quite true.
But Walter—I may speak of my father so for the sake of clearness—used to come sometimes to Florence.
George never knew that he was there, thinking that he was in London.
I learned all this lately.
At the time my father and I lived in Florence I knew nothing of the relationship between George and Walter.
My father knew that if Daisy died his brother would inherit the money, and he kept a watch on George so as to see if he would come into the property.
But I knew nothing of this, neither did Mark, although he was deep in my father's confidence.
Well, as I say, my father was supposed to have died.
I expect another corpse was buried in his place.
Mark no doubt agreed to the fraud, whatever was the reason.
But I have not seen Mark since immediately after the death, and can't get an explanation.
I saw him in Florence, and he told me that my father was dead and buried.
Since then I have not seen him."
"So you returned to England, thinking your father was dead?"
"Certainly.
He left me a little money.
I went back to my situation. Afterwards I came down here.
On that New Year's Eve I entered the library and saw my father speaking to Mr. Morley.
I disguised my feelings, as I was certain he did not wish to be recognized.
But the shock was so great that I nearly fainted.
I went up to my room, and afterwards to church to see my father.
He was there, as you know.
I saw him pass a paper to Daisy.
She went out ten minutes later; he followed.
I wished to see him, and I was curious to know why he had come to Rickwell and had let me think he was dead.
Shortly afterwards I went outside.
It was snowing fast.
I could not see my father or Daisy.
Suddenly I came across my father.
He was beside the grave of Mr. Kent. Daisy was lying on the ground.
He gasped out that she was dead, and implored me to save him."
"Do you think he killed her?"
"No.
Afterwards he denied that he did.
But at the time I believed that he was guilty.
I saw that he would be arrested, and in a frenzy of alarm I cast about for some means to save him.
I remembered your motor-car was waiting at the gates.
I sent Trim away on an errand——"
"I know, I know!
You deceived him!"
"To save my father," replied Anne quietly. "I got the car in this way and went off with my father.
He told me to go to Gravesend, where he had a yacht waiting.
Near Gravesend the car upset.
We left it on the roadside and walked to Tilbury.
A boatman ferried us across the river, and we went on board the yacht."
"Did you know your father was the owner of the yacht?"
"No, I did not.