Irvin penetrated to the inner room. I must slur over the details of
the scene which ensued. Hearing her cry out, Sir Lucien ran to her
assistance. Mrs. Sin, enraged by his manner, lost all control of her
insane passion. She attempted Mrs. Irvin's life with a stiletto which
habitually she carried--and Sir Lucien died like a gentleman who had
lived like a blackguard. He shielded her--"
Seton paused. Margaret was biting her lip hard, and Rita was looking
down so that her face could not be seen.
"The shock consequent upon the deed sobered the half crazy woman,"
continued the speaker. "Her usual resourcefulness returned to her.
Self-preservation had to be considered before remorse. Mrs. Irvin had
swooned, and"--he hesitated--"Mrs. Sin saw to it that she did not
revive prematurely. Mareno was summoned from the room above. The outer
door was locked.
"It affords evidence of this woman's callous coolness that she removed
from the Kazmah premises, and--probably assisted by her brother,
although he denies it--from the person and garments of the dead man,
every scrap of evidence. They had not by any means finished the task
when you knocked at the door, Gray. But they completed it, faultlessly,
after you had gone.
"Their unconscious victim, and the figure of Kazmah, as well as every
paper or other possible clue, they carried up to the Cubanis office,
and from thence across the roof to Sir Lucien's study.
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