Later on Paul caught a glimpse of Gran Jimboy's red cloak flaming on the outskirts of the crowd; and when the service was over he went to look for her, in the hope of discovering why she lied at the inquest. But either the old dame had guessed his intention, or did not want to be spoken to by anyone; for before he could reach the spot where he had seen her standing, she had vanished and he could not determine in which direction she had gone. While he was wondering how he should find her he was greeted by Darcy Herne, who looked haggard and worn in his black clothes. "Mr. Mexton," said he, leading Paul to one side for confidential discourse, "I know from Iris that you are looking for the assassin of Milly. Well, I wish you to do nothing further in the matter till I return." "Till you return!" repeated Paul, with a swift glance at the pallid face of his companion. "Are you going away?" "Yes; I am going to London." "On one of your missions connected with religious work?" "No; on a mission connected with the murder of my poor Milly." "Really!" Paul looked sceptical. "I can't conceive how the commission of a crime in Barnstead can take you to London. May I ask for your reasons?" "Not at present," replied Herne quietly; "later on I may explain them." "At least tell me why you wish me to do nothing in the matter until your return?" "No," said Darcy decisively; "the explanation has too much to do with my reasons." "But I have found out something which goes to prove that you are right in suspecting Lovel." "I do not suspect Lovel," was Herne's strange answer. Paul was bewildered. "But you said----" "I know what I said, Mexton; but I was wrong. I don't think Lovel killed Milly." "Then who did? Dr. Lester is innocent; I have discovered that much." "I know he is innocent," rejoined the squire; "and so is Lovel. As to the guilty person, my journey to London is concerned with that." "You have a suspicion?" "I have; but it may go for nothing." "When did you find this clue you are following to London?" "On the day you and I and Chaskin examined the spot where the murder was committed." "Oh!" Paul's thoughts flew back to Herne's trance, and subsequent behaviour. "So you think that the rainbow feather is a clue?" "What do you know about the rainbow feather?" questioned Herne sharply. "Nothing--save that you picked up a parti-coloured feather, and called it by that name. Is it a clue?" "I think so. I am not sure," replied Darcy, doubtfully. "I'll tell you on my return." "When do you return?" "In three days. Have I your promise not to pursue the investigation against Lovel till I come back?" "Oh, yes!" said Paul, yielding readily enough, the more easily as at the moment he did not know how to act in the matter. "I'll do nothing till you come back and explain. But the rainbow feather----" "Good-day, Mexton; I'm in a hurry," said Herne, cutting short the speech; "in three days you will know as much as I do about that feather."