LADY MOLLY OF SCOTLAND YARD
was proved within the next five minutes. I had slipped out of her room, and was just going into mine, when I heard my name spoken hardly above a whisper, whilst I felt my arm gently seized from behind.
An elderly, somewhat florid, woman stood before me attired in a dingy-coloured dressing-gown. She was pointing towards my own bedroom door, implying her desire to accompany me to my room. Remembering my dear lady's parting injunctions, I nodded in acquiescence. She followed me, after having peered cautiously up and down the passage.
Then, when the door was duly closed, and she was satisfied that we were alone, she said very abruptly:
"Miss Granard, tell me! you are poor, eh?—a paid companion to your rich friend, what?"
Still thinking of Lady Molly's commands, I replied with a pathetic sigh.
"Then," said the old lady, eagerly, "would you like to earn fifty thousand francs?"
The eagerness with which I responded "Rather!" apparently pleased her, for she gave a sigh of satisfaction.
"You know the story of my sister's will—of the clock?" she asked eagerly: "of your friend's rôle in this shameless business?"
Once more I nodded. I knew that my lady had guessed rightly. This was the Marquise de Terhoven, planted here in the convent to gain my con-
156
