"That was when I was under the bed," said Ferdy, quickly. "Were you? I did not know; but you are innocent, my poor boy. I arranged the bedclothes, and then returned home. Zara Dumps accused me and I said nothing, although I knew the truth. But there stands the murderer," he pointed to Jerce, who trembled; "go for the police." "No! No!" cried Sir Daniel, ghastly white. "Let me go. I promise to destroy myself. Anything rather than public shame." "I'll have you in gaol to-night," said Ferdy, triumphantly. "Take care!" snarled Jerce. "If I killed Horran, you stamped the fern on the forehead of the dead. I'll swear that you were my accomplice." "Clarice," cried Ferdy, gasping with fear, "you hear." "I hear, and I know how to act," said Clarice, calm and white. "Anthony, have you pen and ink and paper? There they are," she indicated a rosewood desk in the corner of the drawing-room. "Sit down and write what Sir Daniel says." "What would you do?" asked Ackworth, obeying her. "I would save Ferdy." "And hang Jerce," cried Ferdy, viciously. "Hold your tongue," cried his sister, harshly; "Sir Daniel," she added, turning towards the miserable doctor, "if you will confess your crime, and sign the confession, you shall leave this house free." "No! No! No!" cried Anthony, from the desk, "you are wrong." "I am right," insisted the girl; "with such a confession, we are safe. Ferdy will say nothing, neither will Mr. Clarke." "I shall hold my tongue, so long as Ferdinand is not arrested for a crime he never committed," said the parson, "and so long as Frank's good name is saved. Frank was an evil man, but he was also my son." "Confess, then," said Clarice to Jerce. He wiped his brow and accepted the situation without argument. It was impossible for him to face the direct evidence of Clarke. "I thank you for the chance of escape," he said to the girl, quietly, "and I promise you that to-night I shall die. I will not live to run the risk of being hanged. Write, Captain Ackworth, and I shall sign." Anthony dipped the pen into the ink, and waited. Ferdy sat down. Mr. Clarke leaned against the wall, listening intently, and Clarice, determined not to let Jerce go until the confession was signed, stood with her back to the door. Sir Daniel cast a glance around, and, composing himself with a mighty effort, which showed the strong nature of the man, he began to speak quietly: "I did murder Horran," he said, slowly, "and for two reasons. One was that I wished to learn the nature of the disease which he suffered from, and that could only be made plain by a post-mortem examination. The other, and more ignoble motive, was that I was in league with Barras to get money out of him." "Then you had the forty thousand pounds?" inquired Clarice, quickly.