There was nothing more said at the moment, as the conversation threatened to become disagreeable, and the two men walked to The Herne Arms. Here they found Inspector Drek, who informed them that Lester had delivered the message, but could not be present at the interview, as he had been called out to see a patient some miles away, and did not expect to be back before six o'clock. However, he was at their disposal, and very anxious he was to know why they had sought the interview. "Come up to my room, and I'll tell you," said Lucas, and led the way to his sanctum. Here he ordered cigars and whisky; and having made his friends and himself comfortable, he related to Drek the story of his connection with Mrs. Jimboy, and his knowledge of what had taken place in the lane on that fatal night. All of which has been already set forth. "I think it wise that you should know all this, Mr. Drek," he said, concluding, "as someone else may relate my history in a more or less distorted fashion; and I am, as I can see plainly, in too dangerous a position to trifle with the law. Now our friend Mexton here can tell you of his visit to London, and our visits to Mrs. Jimboy and Chaskin." "Mr. Chaskin! the Vicar!" cried Drek, who in his interest had let his cigar go out. "What has he to do with the matter." "Let me explain," said Paul; and, in his turn, he told the inspector of his interview with Catinka, his discovery of the pistol in the gipsy tent, and finally the interview which, with Lovel, he had taken part in at the Vicarage. Drek, being thus in possession of all the evidence gathered by the pair, was in a position to deliver judgment. This, however, he found it difficult to do, as he was not a particularly clever man; and the multiplicity of facts with which he had now to deal somewhat bewildered his brain. However, he saw what was expected of him in his official capacity, and rising to the occasion, he did his best to grapple with the situation. "If you will permit me, gentlemen," said he, taking a drink of whisky to freshen up his faculties, "I will recapitulate all that we have discovered--severally discovered--since the crime was committed. Then we can see against whom the evidence is strongest, and perhaps learn thereby who killed the girl. But I confess," added Drek, with a downcast air, "that I am not very sanguine." "Why not?" exclaimed Lucas, hotly. "There is plenty of evidence." "That is the whole point, sir, there is too much evidence." "Against Chaskin, I mean." "And against Herne, also," observed Paul. "If the pistol found by Gran Jimboy incriminates Chaskin, no less does the blood-stained handkerchief point to the guilt of Herne." "But Herne can't be guilty," protested Lucas, angrily. "I tell you he was in a trance when the shot was fired." "After the shot was fired," corrected Mexton. "Remember, you did not see him until the girl was dead." "He couldn't have fired the shot and then have fallen into a trance."