"I mean every reason," said Mallien, correcting himself hurriedly, "and, after the man ran away, I went to look in through the Vicarage windows. There was a light in the study, and, as you know, the window had neither curtains nor blinds. I saw Leigh lying dead on the floor, and went home without saying a word, lest I should be accused." "You acted the part of a brave man, I must say," said Rupert contemptuously, "but it appears that you didn't murder Leigh." "No, I certainly did not. Why, I only left this cottage as the church clock chimed eleven, and, as Leigh was murdered at that hour, he must have been dead before I reached the Vicarage. I expect the man was hunting for the will, and only managed to escape with it when I ran up against him in the avenue." "But who was he? I don't suppose Mrs. Beatson dressed herself as a man to----" "No! No! That is ridiculous. Mrs. Beatson was made a catspaw by the same man to get the will without throwing suspicions on him." "I didn't write that anonymous letter, if that is what you mean," said Mallien tartly and uneasily. "I am aware of that. It was Carrington who----" "Carrington!" Mallien started to his feet. "Impossible! He was in town on the night of the murder." "He was in Barship, and he was the man you ran across in the avenue," said Rupert grimly. "No wonder he pointed out your opal on the verge of the hole wherein the will had been buried. He dropped it there while my back was turned and allowed me to find it, so as to incriminate you." Mallien was thunderstruck. "Carrington!" he muttered, sitting down again. "Oh, it is impossible." "Not at all. Dr. Tollart came down with Carrington in the train which arrives at Barship shortly after nine. He wasn't with him, you understand; but he saw him both at Liverpool Street and at Barship." "Then why didn't Tollart say so at the inquest?" "Why should he? Tollart never connected Carrington with the crime. He believed that he came down to see me, and, as Carrington was with me the next day, of course that gave color to Tollart's belief. However, he mentioned the matter to Sophy, and she told me and Dorinda. For that reason Dorinda came to see me yesterday, and we arranged that I should see you. Now you can understand, Mallien, that we must join forces to have Carrington arrested. I have not the least doubt but what he murdered Leigh to get the will and extort money for it, either from you or from me." "The scoundrel!" cried Mallien, highly indignant; "and to think that he should have dared to accuse me--me--me!" "I was in equal danger of being accused," observed Rupert coolly. "Oh, I don't care about you," retorted the other selfishly. "I must look to myself. I shall see Lawson and have Carrington arrested."