"No; if he had done so, he would have had Lovel arrested. Iris, this handkerchief shows that Herne was in the Winding Lane on the night and at the time of the murder. He came to Barnstead in disguise; and, see, this handkerchief is spotted with blood--with Milly's blood. I feel sure that Herne is the guilty man." Iris covered her face with her hands and shuddered. "Oh!" she moaned, "I have tried to put this frightful suspicion out of my mind, because I loved the man. I fancied that he might have killed Milly in a fit of rage, and it was because I was sorry for him that I asked you not to search for the assassin." "You thought I should find Herne?" "Yes; but I could not believe him guilty. When I heard of Mr. Lovel's false alibi at the inquest I truly believed that he had killed Milly." "But, Iris," expostulated Paul, "the handkerchief is spotted with blood!" "I know. Perhaps Mr. Herne let it fall when he found the body." "If so, and he found the body, why did he not call in the police? Why did he sneak away to London in disguise, and let Mr. Chaskin bring home the corpse? No, Iris; I believe that Herne killed Milly. Only one man can tell us the truth, and the truth he must tell to save his own neck. I shall see Lovel." "Do you think he will accuse Mr. Herne?" faltered Iris. "My dear, I don't know," replied Paul, rising; "his own conduct is quite as mysterious as that of Herne. All I do know is that both of them were lurking about the spot at the time the shot was fired, and that one of the two must have fired it. I suspect Herne, but I shall do nothing against him at present." "Don't say anything to Drek until you see Mr. Herne." "No, I shall not," promised Paul; "but Herne does not return till to-morrow, and in the meantime I shall interview Lovel. His evidence may either clear or inculpate Herne." "I can't believe Mr. Herne is guilty!" cried Iris in despair. "Ah," said Paul, looking at her with a frown, "that is because you love him." "No, no! I did love him, but now I do not care for him save as a friend; and for such friendship's sake I should be sorry to see him convicted of a crime which he may not have committed." "Well. I'll say nothing against him until I see Lovel. This very moment I'll go to The Herne Arms and question him." "Do, do; and come back to tell me if he can prove the innocence of Mr. Herne." "I suspect he'll have enough to do to prove his own," said Paul grimly; and forthwith left the house on his errand. With him he carried the incriminating handkerchief, which Iris had forgotten to ask for back again.