"Where did you get it?" Joyce hesitated and wriggled. "I do not see why you should ask me?" "Don't you indeed," said Herrick grimly, "I see a very good reason. Carr was shot through the heart with a bullet that might very well fit that ancient weapon." "How do you know that I put it into the drawer at 'The Grange?'" "Are you going to lie about that? It won't do Joyce. I saw that pistol at your flat,--in your tobacco cabinet." Joyce turned white. He had been quite prepared to lie, but this information showed him how futile that would be. "How did you find it in there?" he asked. "Oh, I wasn't poking and prying. Manuel hunting for cigarettes showed it to me. He dropped across it by accident." Joyce sprang to his feet. "The liar, oh, the liar!" he cried. "Manuel! why he knew it was in the cabinet." "And he placed it there, Eh!" "I never said so!" muttered Robin passing his tongue over his dry lips. "Oh, but I can see it it your face. Evidently Manuel played upon you the same trick you intended to play upon Bess. A nice pair, upon my soul!" Herrick paused for a moment. "What has Manuel to do with this?" "Nothing, that I know of," retorted Joyce sullenly. "He brought me the pistol, but refused to say where he got it. He knows something of this matter I think." "I am very certain he does. However, I'll speak to him. Where is he?" "He went over to Beorminster this afternoon. "Very good I'll see him when he comes back. By the way, you told me a lie about him, Johnstone did not introduce you at the Apollo Club." Joyce shrugged his shoulders. "Since you know so much you might as well know more," he said coolly. "I met Manuel at the Pimlico gambling club. We played together and became friends. Oddly enough, he knew all about Carr. That drew us together. We talked a good deal about the business, and I told him what I told you. But he is a scoundrel," said Joyce gritting his teeth, "he wants to make out that I shot Carr with that pistol, and showed it to you in my flat to inculpate me." "Which was what you proposed to do with that girl!" "I did," said Robin sullenly. "I wanted to marry her; and I made my plans so that she should not dare to refuse." Herrick rose to his feet. "Joyce," said he calmly, "I had intended to give you a thrashing; but you are such a miserable wretch that if I man-handled you I should probably kill you. You can go free for me. But you shall leave this place by the five o'clock train from Beorminster. I'll see to it myself." "I thought you would," sneered Joyce, "so I have packed my clothes. And what are you going to do next?" "Keep an eye on you. Go back to your flat. If you try to run I'll have you arrested. Do not think because I send you to London that you will be beyond the reach of my arm. You and Manuel are plotting to get this money of Stephen Marsh."