"For reason particular, Mr. Critic," replied Catinka, calmly. "I wished this good Herne to join my society, and give of his money. If not joining freely, I willed that he should be forced to, for his safety. See you, I gave him a rainbow feather, and such a one was found by the dead. Then, you conceive, I could swear I never put it on the body, and Mr. Herne alone could have done it, since no one but he could have a feather like that in Barnstead. So you see"--Catinka shrugged her shoulders--"he would be called the murderer if I spoke. When he came to me I tell him all this, and vow to speak if he gives me not the money." "A kind of blackmailing," said Paul, wondering at the shameless way in which she spoke. "And what did Mr. Herne say to this?" "Oh, he will give me a reply when the trial of the caught man is done." "Dr. Lester?" "Yes; the father of the dead lady." "But you know Lester is innocent?" "Eh! that may be so," replied Catinka, with another shrug; "but how is it that I should know?" "Because you must be aware who fired the shot." "But no, Mr. Mexton; I tell you no! I hear the shot; I run forward; I see no one; not Mr. Lovel, not the good Herne. No one person do I see. I put the feather on the body, and run away, in case they say I kill the lady. I get into my carriage at the inn, and go back to Marborough; then to London in the railway." "Did you see Mr. Herne at Barnstead at all?" "No. I saw him at Marborough at the railway; then never again." "Do you think he killed the girl?" "I know not. He says not." "He'd say anything to save his own neck," rejoined Paul, scornfully. "Was he in disguise when he went to Barnstead?" "Not that I know; but he had a long coat for the rain, and there was no rain. Also a white scarf on his neck; not like the dress of a gentleman." "I see. A disguise. He did not want to be known in Barnstead." Catinka made a gesture of indifference. "I know nothing of that," she said. "I have told you all." "You have," said Paul slowly, "and very fully. What is to prevent my telling your pretty plot about the rainbow feather?" "I care not. If this good Herne is free, he will give me the money, since the lady is dead; if you speak, and he is killed by the law--well, he makes a will, and I get his money. It is all so; if I had been afraid, Mr. Mexton, I should have said not one word. But you see it is all right. I will get money to help my country." Paul rose and took up his hat and cane. He was so disgusted with the way in which she spoke that he wished to leave her as speedily as possible. "I bid you good-day, mademoiselle," he said, marching towards the door. "And allow me to tell you that I consider you a wicked woman." "Ah," Catinka shrugged her shoulders--"now you know all, you call me bad names. You are ungrateful--you. But what care I?--not that!" and she snapped her fingers. "You are shameless."