"Quite right," flashed out Herrick angrily. "What right have you to ask her to be your wife?" Before Robin could answer (not that he showed any inclination to do so) Bess started to her feet. "Yes!" she said indignantly. "He did ask me to be his wife and because I refused to marry him, he threatened me." "Threatened you," Herrick turned on Joyce with a dangerous look. "No! No!" implored Robin very white, "forget what I said. I did not mean any harm. I shall go away." Herrick seized him by the wrist. "You will do nothing of the sort," he said quietly. "You must wait until I have heard all about this." "Robin winced again and looked cowed. His lips were dry, his face was pale, and he cast an imploring look upon Bess. The girl returned that look with one of defiance and addressed herself to Herrick. "Do you know what that little coward has accused me of?" she cried fiercely. "He said that I murdered Colonel Carr!" Dr. Jim laughed. The accusation was so absurd that he could not help laughing. "Of course the man is mad," he said briefly. "I did _not_ say that you had murdered Colonel Carr," cried Robin. "I only said that you were near the house at the time of the murder." "Ah!" cried Herrick turning on the little wretch, "and how do you know that Mr. Joyce? Come. Out with it." "He said he saw me," put in Bess. "I did see you," said Robin making a clean breast of it. "You were near the house and for all I know----" "So you _did_ come to Saxham on that night," interrupted Herrick. "Oh, you liar! You went to see Frith and Frith; you slept at the Hull Hotel, did you? And all the time you were down here! I believe you killed Colonel Carr yourself." "I swear I did not," shrieked Robin, "she did if anyone." "Don't you dare to say that again," cried Bess, "you are telling a lie." "Were you not on the lawn in front of the house?" asked Robin. "Yes, I was, and I can account for my presence to Dr. Herrick--not to you--little toad that you are," cried the angry girl. "Send him away," she added turning to Jim, "and I'll tell you all." "Go back to the Carr Arms," said Herrick to Joyce sternly, "and wait for me there. If you try to run away, I shall have you arrested." "You cannot arrest me," blustered Robin looking desperately afraid. "I can. I have evidence you know nothing about. Go!" Robin seemed inclined to dispute the order, but when Herrick made a step in his direction he caught up his hat and fled through the window. "He will run away," said Bess. "Let him try," remarked Herrick grimly, "I can have him arrested at once and I will. Insult you, did he--the hound!" "It was my own fault for being so kind to him," cried Bess excitedly, "as if I cared for him. It was only because he was a writer that I let him come and see me so often. But I shall not have anything more to do with him. He sent me a manuscript. I shall send it back. Where is it? and she began to pull out the drawers in the writing-table.