"Yes, Miss Clyde; that is exactly what I do mean. The evidence is so clear against the prisoner that he will find it hard to escape the gallows. If he is released, he would certainly make a bolt of it." "I don't think so, Mr. Drek--for the simple reason that Dr. Lester is innocent." "Innocent!" repeated Drek, in surprise; "why the man doesn't even attempt to defend himself!" "I am aware of that," retorted Miss Clyde; "and why?--because Dr. Lester does not recollect the events of that night. If he did he would know that he did not shoot his daughter." "Have you any reason for believing in his innocence?" asked Drek, puzzled by her speech. "The best of reasons, Mr. Inspector. I took this pistol from him before the shot was fired at nine o'clock." Drek started, and taking the weapon which Miss Clyde presented to him, he examined it carefully. "Yes," he said, after a pause; "I see the name Lester is engraved on this piece of silver, so I have no doubt it is the pistol of Dr. Lester. May I ask how it came into your possession?" Miss Clyde replied to this question by telling in detail the story she had related to Paul on a previous occasion. Drek listened without interruption, his eyes fastened on her face, to judge by the expression if she was telling the truth. Apparently he was satisfied, for when the tale ended, he said, after a short meditation: "I think you are right, Miss Clyde. Lester is innocent, and if you tell this story to the magistrate you will have no difficulty in having your bail accepted. But I must own that I am rather disappointed. I made so certain that the man was guilty." "Well, Mr. Drek, you see he is not." "H'm! I wonder who did kill the girl?" said Drek, musingly. "It is impossible to say at present," said Paul, on whom the gaze of the inspector rested; "at present the whole matter is enveloped in mystery." It will be seen that Paul said nothing about his suspicions regarding Lovel, or mentioned the fact of Catinka's visit to Barnstead. The fact is, after the impetuous act of Drek in arresting Lester, the journalist did not think it advisable to speak too plainly, lest the inspector should put Lovel in gaol. It was best, thought Paul, to first secure absolute proof against the man, before calling in the aid of the law; and, knowing as much as he did, Mexton determined, when Herne returned, to follow up the clues regarding Lovel himself. As to Catinka, her connection with the matter was so vague at present, that Paul said nothing about her, until--as in the case of Lovel--he had proof of her guilt. "Well," said Drek, seeing that he could obtain no aid from either Miss Clyde or Mexton, "it seems that I have been too hasty, although against Lester the evidence was clear enough. I must go with you to get him released for the time being; and begin again in the attempt to discover the mystery."