During this speech Herne had risen to his feet, and he delivered it with outstretched hand, in oratorical style. Paul was quite used to the vagaries of the man, but he resented the cold way in which he spoke of the poor girl as a lost instrument, and not as a human being, a beautiful woman done to death in a violent fashion. Chaskin seemed to resent it also, for he looked reprovingly at Herne--a look which was entirely lost on the fanatic. Not only did he disregard the warning, but he proceeded to talk of his private matters as though they were of greater moment than the murder. "Do you know what I have been doing in London, Mr. Mexton?" he said in measured tones. "I have been seeing a young woman who has the cause of the oppressed at heart, and will aid me to lighten their burden. It is true that at present she is exercising the light and frivolous profession of a musician; but I hope to ween her from these vanities. A Polish girl must aid her downtrodden countrymen." "A Polish girl!" cried Paul, with a start. "A musician--a violinist." "Yes; Catinka. Do you know her?" "A little. I saw her some months ago in Marborough, where she gave a concert. I rather admired her," concluded Paul, blushing. "She is beautiful," replied Herne quietly, "but I do not look to the outward form, but into the mind. She is concerned to raise up her fallen race and she desires me to aid her. I hope to do so. Who knows?" cried Darcy, with a flash of his brilliant eyes, "she may be designed by God to replace my lost Milly?" "I rather think it is of Milly we should speak, Herne," said Chaskin, reprovingly. "Leave off thinking of this Catinka, and let us see what we can do to prove the innocence of Dr. Lester." "I am at your service," said Herne, the fire dying out of his eyes. "I am convinced that Dr. Lester did not kill the girl." "Then who did?" demanded Paul, frankly. Herne turned and looked at him steadily. "Lucas Lovel," said he, in composed tones. "Impossible!" said Chaskin and Mexton together. "I don't think so," persisted Herne. "Lucas Lovel wanted to marry Milly--to ween her from me; and frequently met her on the common and in the Winding Lane. I was told about these meetings by a certain person who shall be nameless; but I said nothing, trusting to Milly's true heart. I believed that she was true to me; and that for such a reason Lovel killed her." "But Lovel was not with her on Sunday night." "I believe he was," said Darcy, "although I have no means of proving it. I intend to see Mr. Lovel and force him into confession; but before doing so I wish to examine the spot where the murder took place." "For what reason?" asked Chaskin, hurriedly. "To search for evidence. Let us go now, while the daylight lasts. Mr. Mexton, you will come also?" "Willingly," said Paul, rising. "I wish to see the spot, too; indeed, I came here to ask Mr. Chaskin for all particulars regarding the finding of the body." "Why?" asked the clergyman, quickly.