Cyril felt his hair rise, and he thought of his father's probable danger, but he calmed down on reflecting that at least Edwin Lister was not guilty of the frightful crime. "How do you know?" he gasped with difficulty. "We have caught Luke, and he will be here in a moment or so to confess." Cyril looked surprised. "How did you catch him?" "He ran out of the hut when we crossed the channel, and concealed himself in the corn. Then, remembering that the Manor-house was deserted he fetched a circle round the fields and came here. When we got into the house we found him nearly crazy with fear; he took us for ghosts." "Where is he now?" "In the kitchen guarded by a couple of men. He refused to confess, and I gave him an hour to make up his mind. Meanwhile, we have searched the house and have found that everything valuable more or less is gone. Some things left behind have been packed in boxes. I suppose the Vands hoped to escape and then get their goods later. But they carried off what they could." "They intended to go to America," said Cyril, "the woman explained. She also declared that her husband murdered Captain Huxham." "I expect she had a hand in it herself." "She denies that." "She naturally would," said Inglis very drily. "However, I'll send for Luke Tunks and see if he is willing to confess," and he gave a sharp order to one of the constables who was lounging in the hall. In a few minutes the tall, lean gipsy, who looked extremely ill and extremely defiant, made his appearance at the door, held by two policemen. "Bring him in," said the inspector calmly, and arranging some sheets of paper, which he took out of his pocket along with a stylograph pen. "Now then, my man, will you confess all that you saw?" "If I do what will happen, governor?" asked Tunks hoarsely. "You may get a lighter sentence." "Will I be arrested?" "You are arrested now, and shortly you will be lodged in gaol." "Then I shan't say anything!" growled Luke defiantly, and folding his arms he leaned against the panelled wall. "Very good," said Inglis serenely; "take him away. In the morning he can be removed to the Pierside goal." The two constables advanced, and Luke bit his lip. In any case he saw that things looked black against him. "You have no right to arrest me," he declared. "On what charge do you arrest me?" "On a charge of murdering Captain Jabez Huxham." "I didn't. I can prove I didn't." "You can do so in court and to a judge and jury. Take him away." "No, no! I'll tell you all I know now," said Luke, making the best of a bad job, and being imaginative enough to both see and feel a visionary rope encircling his neck. "Let me tell now, governor."