On his way to the inn Paul wondered why he had not adopted before the very obvious course of questioning Lovel. He should have gone to him after Brent's confession of the false alibi and have forced the young man to explain why he and the old gipsy had perjured themselves at the inquest; but on further reflection Paul recollected that circumstances had intervened which had made it impossible to seek the interview with Lovell. But now all obstacles had been removed; he had accumulated from Brent, Miss Clyde, Catinka and others a mass of circumstantial evidence; and at the coming conversation he was fully prepared to encounter any further deceptions which Lovel might employ to evade discovery. Paul did not believe that Lovel was guilty, as even the passion of jealousy would hardly have incited him to slay the girl who loved and trusted him; but he was certain that Lovel knew the name of the assassin; and he was equally certain that such name would be Darcy Herne. At the inn Mexton learnt that Lovel was in his sitting-room, and at once he sent up his card with a request for an interview. He had a fancy that Lovel, for obvious reasons, would refuse to see him; but, rather to his surprise, he was requested to walk upstairs. When the servant closed the door behind him Paul found himself in a comfortable apartment, alone with the man who, as he believed, held in his hands the sole clue to the mysterious death of Milly. Lucas looked worn and ill; there were dark circles under his eyes, and he appeared listless and indifferent, as though his vitality was exhausted. Without offering his hand to Mexton, he bowed and pushed forward a chair. "Hast thou found me out, O my enemy?" he said softly. Mexton stared, as well he might, for the Biblical quotation was a strange one for Lovel to use. Paul thought it rather theatrical. "I am not your enemy, Mr. Lovel," he said, taking his seat. "I think you know that very well." "How should I know, when Brent tells me that you go to him to worm out my secrets?" "As to that," replied Paul coldly, "I have a right to discover any secrets which are likely to lead to the detection of Milly's assassin." "And you think I am the man?" questioned Lovel, looking fixedly at his visitor. "No; I do not think you killed the poor girl. I will give you the credit that you loved her too well to take her young life. But I think also," said Paul with energy, "that you know who fired the shot." "No; I am as doubtful of that as you are." "I decline to believe that. Herne killed the girl, and you know it." "So far as I do know, Herne did not kill the girl," replied Lovel emphatically. "Then, if he is innocent, and you also, who is the murderer?" "I don't know, I cannot say," said Lucas wearily. "I have asked myself that question fifty times a day, but to it I can find no answer." "The police might find an answer." Lovel laughed. "The police might arrest me, and find their answer by getting me hanged," he said coolly.