I had now sufficient evidence to prove that Felix had killed Francis, and quite sufficient to warrant my having him arrested. If the pool were dragged, the body would be found, with the ragged wound of the flint arrowhead on the right hand. I could prove the finding of the arrowhead in the ashes, and how it had been taken from Bellin Hall. Fundy could give evidence to Felix having taken a horse to the Fen Inn on the 10th, and also on the 11th. And, altogether, the evidence against Felix was clearly sufficient to hang him. Still, I did nothing rashly, and before taking further proceedings returned to London to consult Merrick. His advice, I knew, would be judicious. CHAPTER IX. ANOTHER SURPRISE. Dr. Merrick was delighted to see me again so speedily, and assured me that he had thought of nothing else but the Lone Inn crime. The peculiar circumstances of the case fascinated him greatly. "Decidedly I should be a detective," he said laughingly. "I have been inventing all kinds of theories in connection with this matter. By the way, my idea of searching the shipping list was a good one." "Excellent. You received my letter?" "I did, with much pleasure. So Francis did not arrive in England until the 6th of June?" "No! Therefore it was Francis whom I met at the Fen Inn, who was killed by his brother, and it is Felix who now passes himself off to Olivia Bellin as Francis." "Does she not guess the imposture?" "No! So far as I can see she firmly believes Felix to be Francis. You were also right about the hiding of the corpse." "You don't say so!" cried Merrick, highly delighted; "did Felix ride out to the Fen Inn and hide the body as I surmised?" "He did! I have the evidence of the livery-stable keeper to prove that he hired a horse on the 11th and did not return till midnight." "During which time he disposed of his brother's body." "Precisely! I tracked his horse's hoof marks to the pool wherein I am convinced the body lies hidden." "Egad! You are a wonderful man, Denham! Did you have the pool dragged for the body?" "Not yet. I wish to tell you all my discoveries before doing so." "Many thanks. I am so interested in this case that it is a great pleasure for me to follow it step by step." "I wish no thanks from you, Merrick," said I heartily. "It is rather the other way, as your reasonings have led me to these important discoveries: First, that Felix was in Paris; second, that Francis did not arrive from Chili till this month; and third, that Felix himself hid the corpse. By myself I should never have discovered so much. But I have made one most famous discovery." "Yes! And that is?" "I know how the crime was committed and by whom." "You don't say so!" exclaimed Merrick, in much excitement. "Have you seen Strent?" "No; it was not Strent who killed Francis Briarfield." "You don't mean to say it was Rose Strent?" "No; it was Felix himself." Merrick uttered an ejaculation of surprise, and remained silent for a few minutes.