"Old fellow," said he, "you don't believe Miss Dare committed this crime any more than I do." A sly twinkle answered him from the detective's half-shut eye. "All that talk of having seen through your disguise in the hut is just nonsense on your part to cover up your real notion about it. What is that notion, Hickory? Come, out with it; let us understand each other thoroughly at last." "Do I understand you?" "You shall, when you tell me just what your convictions are in this matter." "Well, then," replied Hickory, with a short glance at Mr. Ferris, "I believe (it's hard as pulling teeth to own it) that neither of them did it: that she thought him guilty and he thought her so, but that in reality the crime lies at the door of some third party totally disconnected with either of them." "Such as Gouverneur Hildreth?" whispered Byrd. "Such--as--Gouverneur Hildreth," drawled Hickory. The two detectives eyed each other, smiled, and turned with relieved countenances toward the District Attorney. He was looking at them with great earnestness. "That is your joint opinion?" he remarked. "It is mine," cried Hickory, bringing his fist down on the table with a vim that made every individual article on it jump. "It is and it is not mine," acquiesced Byrd, as the eye of Mr. Ferris turned in his direction. "Mr. Mansell may be innocent--indeed, after hearing Hickory's explanation of his conduct, I am ready to believe he is--but to say that Gouverneur Hildreth is guilty comes hard to me after the long struggle I have maintained in favor of his innocence. Yet, what other conclusion remains after an impartial view of the subject? None. Then why should I shrink from acknowledging I was at fault, or hesitate to admit a defeat where so many causes combined to mislead me?" "Which means you agree with Hickory?" ventured the District Attorney. Mr. Byrd slowly bowed. Mr. Ferris continued for a moment looking alternately from one to the other; then he observed: "When two such men unite in an opinion, it is at least worthy of consideration." And, rising, he took on an aspect of sudden determination. "Whatever may be the truth in regard to this matter," said he, "one duty is clear. Miss Dare, as you inform me, has been--with but little idea of the consequences, I am sure--allowed to remain under the impression that the interview which she held in the hut was with her lover. As her belief in the prisoner's guilt doubtless rests upon the admissions which were at that time made in her hearing, it is palpable that a grave injustice has been done both to her and to him by leaving this mistake of hers uncorrected. I therefore consider it due to Miss Dare, as well as to the prisoner, to undeceive her on this score before another hour has passed over our heads. I must therefore request you, Mr. Byrd, to bring the lady here. You will find her still in the court-house, I think, as she requested leave to remain in the room below till the crowd had left the streets."