"I did, because he was getting dangerous. Barras, according to Horran's wish, had given Clarke here one thousand pounds--but on his own account he charged ten per cent. Clarke tried to see Horran, but to keep back that fact I used my medical power as Horran's physician to prevent an interview." "But I did see him at length," said the vicar, triumphantly. "Yes," snapped Jerce, "and so sealed Horran's death warrant. Do you remember on the day preceding the murder that I had an interview with Horran?" he asked, turning to Clarice. "Yes, and you said that Uncle Henry was angry with Ferdy." "He was angry with Barras, and declared that he would get the accounts looked into by a clever City man. I knew that was fatal. Barras and I could deceive Horran and you, but we couldn't hope to deceive this accountant who was mentioned. I then determined to prevent the exposure by murdering Horran." "You villain!" cried Clarice, shuddering. "Your old friend." "He would have been my new enemy had he learned the truth about the accounts," said Jerce, cynically. "However, we must get on," he looked at his watch, "it is getting late. Well, then I went up to town, having arranged with Ferdinand here, that he should kill Horran and stamp his forehead with the Purple Fern. I need not tell you how I got that, Miss Baird." "I know," she replied, with horror. "But were you arranging a deliberate murder with my brother, when Anthony and I saw you walking to the station?" "Yes. You were driving, I believe. Ferdinand agreed to kill----" "I did," interrupted Ferdy, quickly, "but I intended to tell Uncle Henry everything. I never intended murder." "So I thought," said Jerce, with a shrug; "you are such a weak fool that I fancied you would flinch at the last moment. That was why I came down during the night. I pretended to go to Whitechapel, and did not take my chauffeur, which was often the case. No suspicion was thus aroused in Harley Street as to my destination. I motored down to Crumel in a little over two hours, and acted in the way Clarke here has told you." "But the murder?" "I expected to find Horran dead," said Jerce, "and yet, knowing what a weak fool this boy is, I feared lest he should fail. I entered by the window, which that ass of a Wentworth had ordered to be opened, as I knew he would, and Horran raised himself in bed. He recognised me, and, unable to explain my intrusion, I caught an assegai from the wall and stabbed him to the heart. He cried out, but only feebly. Then I ran away and Clarke caught me. I kept him quiet by saying that I would tell about Frank. Afterwards, I motored back to town in another two hours and a trifle more, and regained my house in safety." "Oh, you villain!" said Clarice again, striking her hands together.