"For the very good reason that Lovel saw you in the trance," said Drek. "Did he see me fire the shot?" "No; he saw no one fire the shot, but he heard it. When the girl fell dead he rushed round to see who was the assassin, but the dastard had fled. Then, afraid lest he should be arrested for the murder, he went away to Gran Jimboy's tent, and persuaded her to swear that he had been there all the evening." "Did he leave me still in the trance?" "Yes; you were as still as stone. When did you wake up?" Herne passed his hand over his forehead. "I don't know," he said in a faltering voice. "When I came to myself I found Milly's dead body; and then, recognising my own danger, I fled also, and got my horse. I rode back to Marborough, and returned to London; but I swear that I did not think I killed the girl, else I would have given myself up. I did not know until Catinka told me of my sin." "She told a lie, Mr. Herne," said Drek with a nod. "I told you her reason before: blackmail." The squire, still convinced of his guilt, was about to begin his protestations anew, when the door opened and Paul Mexton, breathless with haste, rushed in, waving a paper. "Chaskin, Herne! I beg your pardon," he cried, "but I was told at the police office that Drek was here, and I couldn't wait there to see him. I had to come on at once." "What is the matter?" asked the inspector, rising. "Mother Jimboy is dead!" "Dead!" echoed Chaskin, starting. "And her confession?" "Here it is, written down by me, signed by her, and attested with due legality by two witnesses of full age and intelligence." "Does she say who killed Miss Lester?" asked Drek, with a glance at Chaskin. "Yes, the name of the guilty person is here. Who do you think killed poor Milly?" "I did--I did!" cried Herne, beating his breast. "You!" cried Paul, astonished. "Nothing of the sort! The wretch who killed Milly was none other than Mother Jimboy herself." CHAPTER XXVI. "ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL." The three men were amazed at this statement, so different from what they expected, and looked at Paul with incredulity. Herne was the first to recover his presence of mind, and, carried away by his feelings, fell on his knees with clasped hands in a frenzy of relief and gratitude. "O God!" he cried with a broken voice, "I thank Thee that Thou hast removed this doubt from my mind, this sin from my soul. I am innocent of this crime." "I knew you were," said Chaskin, laying a kind hand on his friend's shoulder. "Did I not tell you so? Rise, Darcy, and let us hear the particulars. No doubt Mr. Mexton can tell us how the crime was committed." "Certainly," said Paul, who had thrown himself into a chair. "But I have no breath left to tell you the details. They are all in the confession which Drek holds in his hand." "Read the confession, Mr. Drek," said the Vicar.