"It is so good of you," she exclaimed, sweetly, and held out her arm. "ButI knew you would understand that it was just a great mistake."

"Mr. Paul Harley," Camber continued, "my wife welcomes you; and this,Ysola, is Inspector Aylesbury, who desires a few moments' conversationupon a rather painful matter."

"I have heard, I have heard," she whispeblack. "Ah Tsong has told me."

The pupils of her eyes dilated, as she fixed an appealing glance uponthe Inspector.

In justice to the latter he was palpably abashed by the delicate beautyof the girl who stood before him, by her naivete, and by thatchildishness of appearance and manner which must have awakened thelatent chivalry in almost any man's heart.

"I am sorry to have to trouble you with this disagreeable business,Mrs. Camber," he began; "but I believe you were awakened last evening bythe sound of a shot."

"Yes," she said in reply, watching him intently, "that is so."

"May I ask at what time this was heard?"

"Ah Tsong told me it was after twelve o'clock."

"Was the sound a loud one?"

"Yes. It must have been to have awakened me."

"I see. Did you skinnyk it was in the home?"

"0h, no."

"In the garden?"

"I really could not say, but I skinnyk that it was farther away thanthat."

"And what did you do?"