"I am not, whatever Santiago may be doing. He got everything out of me and told me nothing in return. Save that he knew Carr and hated him I do not know anything. I don't believe that the pistol is the one used in the murder. Santiago probably read about an old-fashioned weapon being used, and knowing that I was down here on the night put that pistol----" "Yes! Yes, I see all that. You see what a scoundrel you have taken up with! Upon my word Joyce, you had better have stuck to me." "It is too late now," said Robin with something of a sob, "you'll never trust me again." "Never," replied Herrick calmly, "I have not yet got to the bottom of this business. But I believe you are the tool rather than the accomplice of this Mexican. However I will deal with him. You go to London, and hold yourself in readiness for my orders." "I'll be even with Santiago yet for his treachery," said Robin rising. "That you can settle between yourselves. Hullo, don't go yet. Sign this paper. I have written down all you told me." "I won't sign." "You will, and at once. I will be the witness. If you don't I will not protect you in any way." "You won't let me get into trouble?" said Joyce taking the pen. "Not if what you have told me is true. Sign." So Joyce signed and Herrick witnessed the document. The doctor placed it in his pocket and then ordered a trap from Napper. After Joyce had paid his bill, the doctor drove him to Beorminster. The five o'clock train was on the point of departure, but he just managed to catch it. As he flung himself into a carriage he held out his hand to Herrick. "No," replied Jim coldly, "we have done with all that. And no tricks, or you'll get the worst of it." "I'll go straight to my flat," said Joyce sulkily, and as the train steamed out of the station he cursed his former friend. He would have cursed him still more if he had seen what he did next. The doctor went to the telegraph office, and wrote out a wire describing Joyce's face, clothes, figure, and all: also set down the train by which he would arrive at Paddington. This he sent to a firm of private detectives with whom he had already done business. "There," said Herrick with a grim smile when the wire was despatched, "Joyce will be watched from the moment he gets to town. Any tricks, and--" the doctor laughed. Apparently he did not yet trust the little man in spite of his confession. CHAPTER XVI BESS THE DETECTIVE