Page:Yellow Claw 1920.djvu/248

 A look of horror began slowly to steal over Helen Cumberly’s face; Denise Ryland’s head commenced to sway from side to side. But neither women spoke.

“By the courtesy of Inspector Dunbar,” continued Dr. Cumberly, “I have been enabled to keep in touch with the developments of the case, as you know; and he had noted as a significant fact that the late Mrs. Vernon’s periodical visits to Scotland corresponded, curiously, with those of Mrs. Leroux to Paris. I don’t mean in regard to date; although in one or two instances (notably Mrs. Vernon’s last journey to Scotland, and that of Mrs. Leroux to Paris), there was similarity even in this particular. A certain Mr. Debnam—the late Horace Vernon’s solicitor—placed an absurd construction upon this”…

“Do you mean,” interrupted Helen in a strained voice, “that he—insinuated that Mrs. Vernon”…

“He had an idea that she visited Leroux—yes,” replied her father hastily. “It was one of those absurd and irritating theories, which, instinctively, we know to be wrong, but which, if asked for evidence, we cannot hope to prove to be wrong.”

“It is outrageous!” cried Helen, her eyes flashing indignantly; “Mr. Debnam should be ashamed of himself!”

Dr. Cumberly smiled rather sadly.

“In this world,” he said, “we have to count with