"You did?" said Iris; and then added, with a blush: "And did you find her as charming as you expected?" "Indeed I did not! I found that my idol had feet of clay, and she has tumbled off her pedestal forever. A hard, cruel woman, Iris; not at all the woman of my dreams." "I am glad you found out your mistake before it was too late," said Iris in a contented tone. "I am sure she would never have made you happy." "I am sure also," rejoined Mexton, laughing. "I must look for my happiness nearer home." He said this with such a significant look that the colour again flushed the face of Iris; but, not deeming the moment a propitious one for love-making--since she was not yet sure of her own heart--she hurriedly turned the conversation. "What did Catinka tell you, Paul?" "Many things," replied Mexton; then, after a pause, he added: "Iris, I remember you asked me not to search for the assassin. Was that because you wished to save your father?" "No; that was not my reason," said Iris in a hesitating tone. "I told you so before." "Then you did not want Lovel to be arrested?" "I did not care if he was arrested or not. I am not sure if he is guilty, although I did see him in the Winding Lane when I went out after poor Milly's body was brought home." "Did you see anyone else near the spot?" "No," said Iris frankly; "I did not. Why do you ask?" "Because I am sure you suspect someone of having been there." "I do; but--but I cannot tell you whom I suspect." "You need not; I know. Catinka told me that Darcy Herne was in Barnstead on the night of the murder." "He was there, then?" cried Iris, rising with an expression of horror. "Where?" "In the Winding Lane." "I don't know. Why do you say so?" "Wait." Iris left the room, and while Paul was still wondering at her emotion she returned with a handkerchief spotted with blood. This she handed to Paul. "Mr. Herne's handkerchief," she said. "I found it on the spot where Milly's body was discovered." CHAPTER XIX. WHO MR. LOVEL WAS. "Then Herne must be guilty!" cried Paul, looking at the name on the handkerchief. "I am not sure," replied Iris. "If he were guilty, he would not accuse Mr. Lovel." "He was forced into that position," rejoined the journalist quickly. "He accused Lovel until the discovery of the rainbow feather led him to believe that Catinka had been on the spot, and might have seen him commit the crime. Then he changed his tune, and asked me to seek no further evidence against Lovel until he returned from seeing Catinka. I know now that the violinist saw nothing, and, reassured on that point, I am certain that Herne will return here tomorrow, and go on accusing Lovel." "But, Paul," urged Iris, "he might have seen Lovel kill Milly?"