"It's the truth, and you know it. You and Santiago wish to get the money left by Colonel Carr. You tried to murder Stephen in the churchyard." "It was not I," gasped Robin shaking with fright, "I was with the Miss Endicottes all the time." "Oh, I know that your accomplice is the bolder villain. It was he--" here Herrick made a shot in the dark, "--it was Santiago who struck Marsh." "I know he did," sobbed Joyce falling into the trap, "but I--" "Never mind about yourself," said Jim exulting in having extorted this piece of information, "tell me what there is between Santiago and Corn that made him force the parson to tell a lie in order to prove his alibi. Corn said that Manuel was with him all the evening. You know that is false. Manuel went out and struck Stephen Marsh." "I don't know what power Santiago has over Corn," said Robin wiping his eyes, "he never told me; but he has some. He treats me like a dog, and I can't call my soul my own." "You poor little rat!" said Herrick with a certain pity. "Then the best thing you can do is to come back to me, and tell me all you know about this scoundrel." "No! No!" whimpered Joyce, "he would kill me." "Not he! I shall know how to save you, and if you do not tell," said Dr. Jim in a sharp tone, "I'll have you arrested as being concerned in this murder of Colonel Carr." "I am innocent; you know I am innocent!" "I know nothing of the sort," replied Herrick unexpectedly. "I have your word for it, and your confession of your doings on that night. But there is quite enough in that confession--signed by yourself, mind--to justify your being arrested on suspicion of having committed the crime. Do you think a jury would believe in your story, especially as I can prove that the pistol with which--as I verily believe--the crime was committed was in your possession?" "I got it from Santiago." "So you said, and yet at the time you told me, it was out of my power to question the man. You knew that he had gone up to Town by the Heathcroft line, and you did not tell me." "I was afraid. He forced me to hold my tongue." "You had better be a little more afraid of me. I can do you more mischief than Don Manuel is likely to do. He will have sufficient to do to look after himself. But I knew what a slippery little devil you were Joyce, and so I had you watched from the moment you disembarked at the Paddington station. You can't move a step now without my knowledge. So you need not try to give me the slip again." By this time Joyce was in a state of collapse. He saw that Herrick had been too clever for him. Between his fear of Santiago and his fear of Herrick he was in a pitiable state of mind. Dr. Jim felt sorry for the miserable creature in spite of the contempt which his conduct righteously provoked. "I'll tell you what I can," said Joyce after a pause. "I think you are wise. You expect Santiago back soon?" "At five o'clock."