_But she did._ I sought out the maid who had been with her when the Marchese died, and she, before the confession was published, informed me that she had not undressed the Marchesa on her return from the Colle Alto party.

And that next morning part of the cloak which was not hers, and part of her gown were found to be burnt as stated in her confession.

It was indeed necessary to burn them.

The Marchesa murdered the Marchese." There was a long silence.
"I cannot tell whether you witnessed the crime or not.

At first I thought the blood on your hands and clothes might have come from helping her to drag the body into the garden.