"My dear Lucy, why do you say that ?" Lucy paused before replying and then answered the question by asking another one.
"Did you ask Sidney to get you some clothes from his mother to clothe a model ?" "Never in my life," said Hope promptly, and, as Lucy, saw, truly.
"Well, I accidentally met Mrs.Bolton to-day, and she insisted that her son had borrowed from her a dark shawl and a dark dress for you." "That is not true," said Hope hotly.

"Why should the woman tell such a lie ?" "Well," said Lucy slowly, "it struck me that the woman who spoke with Sidney through the Sailor's Rest window might be Widow Anne herself, and that she has invented this story of the clothes being lent to account for their being worn, should she be discovered." "It's certainly odd she should speak like this," said Random thoughtfully; "but you forget, Miss Kendal, that she proved an alibi." "What of that ?" cried Don Pedro hurriedly, "alibis can be manufactured." "It will be best to see this woman and question her," suggested Donna Inez.
Archie nodded.
"I shall do so to-morrow.

By the way, does she ever come to your room in the Fort, Random ?" "Oh yes, she is my laundress, you know, and at times brings back the clothes herself.

My servant is usually in, though.

I see what you mean.
That she might have received the manuscript from Bolton, and have left it in my room." "Yes, I think that," said Archie slowly.