"You see," said Drek, complacently¹, "that it is quite easy to get up a case against you, Mr. Lovel; yet I feel convinced from your late actions that you are innocent. Therefore you will understand that I am inclined to doubt even the strong evidence you have obtained against Mr. Chaskin. He may be as guiltless as you are. The evidence against Herne is as strong; yet you think his hands are clean of blood. Why, then, should you suspect Chaskin so much?"  
"He refused to explain the loss of the pistol."
 
"So far as that goes, he refused because he did not think either you or Mexton had any right to examine him. But if a person like myself, having authority----"
 
"Go and see him, Drek, and find out if he will confess to you!" said Paul, eagerly.
 
"No; I shall take no steps in the matter until this trial of Dr. Lester's is concluded."
 
"And in the meantime Chaskin will run away," said Lovel, bitterly.
 
"I don't think so," rejoined the inspector³, nettled⁴ by the sneering⁵ tone of the young man, which cast a reflection on his judgment⁶. "The conduct of Mr. Chaskin does not augur⁷ that he intends to fly; and if he did, I would take means to prevent his flight."
 
"You will have him watched?"
 
"I will have both him and Herne watched."
 
"And what about Mother Jimboy, who is so important a witness in this case?" said Paul, suddenly; "she is seriously ill, and being so old it is not improbable that she may die at any moment."
 
"True," said Drek, thoughtfully. "You think of everything, Mexton. I'll have her deposition⁸ taken as soon as I learn that she is in danger. At the present moment Dr. Lester, who is in attendance on her, assures me that the chances of recovery are in her favour. Oh, you may trust me," concluded the inspector, rising, "I'll do my best to bring the assassin of Miss Lester to justice."
 
"Chaskin!" cried Lucas, emphatically.
 
"Or yourself, or Herne," retorted Drek, putting on his hat. "Don't forget my argument about the evidence, Mr. Lovel. Take my advice, and keep quiet until Lester is discharged; then we shall see what is to be done."
 
"Arrest me, I suppose!"
 
"Sir!" cried Drek, with indignation, "I am this much of an Arab, that did I intend to be your enemy, and act so traitorous⁹ a part, I should not have broken bread with you; in other words, I should have declined your whisky-and-soda and the very excellent cigar which I have just smoked."
 
"I beg your pardon, Drek; I take back my words. Good-day."
 
"Good-day, Mr. Lovel; good-day, Mr. Mexton. At present we know not what is before us," and Inspector Drek left the room with an air of great dignity. When the door was closed after him Lovel turned towards his friend.
 
"What do you think of the position now?" he asked.
 
"I think that we had better wait and see the outcome of Lester's trial."
 
"Bah! I know the outcome! He will be acquitted¹⁰."
 
"Well," said Paul, who was tired of the discussion, "let us wait till he is acquitted, and then renew our search for the assassin."
 
"I say Chaskin--he is the assassin!"
 
"And I say, Herne. Time and opportunity will be needed to prove which of us is in the right," said Paul; after which the conversation concluded, and each of the young men went his different way. With their opinions so diametrically opposed to one another, they felt that continued companionship might result in a quarrel; and at the present stage of their acquaintance, and seeing that they were mutually interested in bringing to justice the assassin of Milly Lester, they were unwilling¹¹ that a rupture¹² should take place. Hence, they very wisely parted.
 
During the following week there was great excitement in Marborough. The Assizes were being held, and the Barnstead crime occupied the most prominent place in the list of cases which had been set down for trial. It was rumored¹³ that Lester was innocent, but at Marborough the precise way in which his innocence¹⁴ was to be proved was not known. In Barnstead itself, thanks to Miss Clyde and the indefatigable¹⁵ Mrs. Drass, the inhabitants were better informed, and looked upon the coming trial as a mere¹⁶ farce¹⁷ for the discharging of Dr. Lester. But there was a new source of excitement in the village, as it was reported that Mr. Inspector Drek had found the assassin, and would have him condemned¹⁸ on the most irrefutable evidence. But the name of the accused was not given, and many were the surmises¹⁹ as to who the criminal might prove to be. Thanks to the discretion²⁰ of Paul, Lovel, and Drek, not a word was breathed hinting that Mr. Chaskin had anything to do with the matter.
 
In the meantime the illness of Mother Jimboy took a bad turn, and it was evident that her days were numbered. Drek visited her, and she held to the story of Chaskin's guilt², but point blank refused to make any sworn deposition to that effect. Her obstinacy²¹ on this point led the inspector to believe that the old woman was lying, but for what purpose he could not conceive. Drek did all he could to force her to sign a confession²², but in vain, and the day for Lester's trial arrived without the accomplishment²³ of this object. Nevertheless Paul Mexton haunted the tent of the gipsy and loudly declared that he would not leave until she was dead or had signed a confession. So obstinate²⁴ was he on this point that not even the trial could seduce²⁵ him into Marborough, and the "Tory Times" had to employ another reporter in his place. For this kindness on the part of the editor, Mexton promised that the confession of Mother Jimboy should be published in that paper; when the country would be astonished. Paul did not know at the time how truly he spoke²⁶.
 
On the second day of the Assizes the trial of Dr. Lester came on. The court was crowded, and Iris²⁷, dressed in mourning, with a heavy veil over her face, was present, under the charge of Mrs. Mexton. She would rather have stayed away, but having been subpoenaed²⁸ as a witness on behalf of the Crown, she was obliged to attend. Miss Clyde was also present, and with her Mrs. Drass. Indeed, the court was full, principally of Barnstead folk, who thought that they had a right to the best seats on account of the murder having taken place in t............