We were standing together in the library--the hour was now nearly midnight. The body of the dead man lay on the centre table covered with a white sheet. There came a knock at the door, and to my dismay and astonishment I saw Carleton enter the room. "I heard voices, and guessed you would be here," he exclaimed. "I have recovered my nerves to a certain extent, and wish to tell you, sir," looking at his host, "and you also, Dr. Halifax, exactly what has occurred." "Come into the smoking-room," said Brabazon, not unkindly. "No," answered the poor lad. "If you will allow me, I will tell my story here. There is not much to tell, but what there is had best be told in the presence of----" his lip trembled--he could not get further words out. He sank suddenly into a chair, and covered his white face with his shaking hands. "We must humour him," I said, turning and speaking in a whisper to Brabazon--"and before God," I continued, impulsively, "I believe he is as innocent as I am." [Illustration: "HE COVERED HIS WHITE FACE WITH HIS SHAKING HANDS."] I drew forward a chair for myself as I spoke, but Brabazon stood by the hearth. Carleton began to speak almost directly--his emotion was quickly mastered. "I have loved Barbara Farnham for two years. At intervals she has given me great encouragement, and I had fair hopes of winning her until she met Randall in this house a fortnight ago. This morning I felt desperate, and resolved to put my fortunes to the test. I asked her to give me an interview after breakfast, as you doubtless noticed." He paused and looked at me--I nodded my head, and he continued: "We went into the conservatory, and I--I spoke to her. I told her the naked truth, perhaps a little too bluntly. I asked her if she really meant to--no, I must not say what I did ask her. It is unfair--unfair to her. From her manner and her words I plainly gathered that she preferred Randall to me, and that I had no chance whatever of winning her. Perhaps I lost my temper--anyhow, it was unmanly of me to say what I did. I accused her of valuing Randall's position. I told her plainly that if Randall and I could change places, I should be the favoured one. We had a disagreement; our interview was full of pain, at least to me. When I left Miss Farnham the Evil One seemed to enter into me, and I hated Randall as I never knew before that I could hate anyone. I would not ride with the others, but went away by myself, and the whole day has been a long agony to me.