With the discovery that Catinka had visited Barnstead on the night of the murder a new element entered into the case. Paul was satisfied that both Dr. Lester and Miss Clyde were innocent of the crime; and that Lovel, although appearances were against him, might possibly be guiltless also. Failing these three individuals, there remained no one who might have an interest in getting rid of the girl; but now that Catinka's presence in Barnstead had been proved by the gossip of Mrs. Drass and her friend from Marborough, it was not impossible that she might have something to do with the matter. She might even have shot Milly; for here the quality of jealousy² might come into play. Herne, as was stated by Lovel and Mrs. Drass, knew the violinist, and had paid several visits to her in London. What, then, more likely than that she was in love with him and he with her, and that the discovery of his engagement and near marriage to Milly might have prompted Catinka to remove a possible rival from her path? But this, as Paul admitted to himself, was all theory; and the facts supporting it had yet to be proved.  
In the meantime, according to his promise to the absent Herne, the journalist took no immediate³ steps towards prosecuting⁴ his inquiries⁵ relative to proving the guilt¹ of Lovel. He was determined⁶ to do nothing further until the squire⁷'s return, and possible explanation; and pending⁸ this result Paul betook himself to Marborough in the company of Miss Clyde, for the purpose of releasing Dr. Lester from gaol⁹. The proceedings¹⁰ in furtherance of this object included an interview with Drek.
 
They found the inspector¹¹ at the police office in a very tranquil¹² frame of mind. He had quite overcome his early doubts about Eliza's evidence, and was now quite convinced that Lester was guilty. Also he congratulated himself on his own cleverness in capturing the criminal so speedily; quite ignoring the fact that the discovery of the guilty person--as he deemed Lester to be--had been thrust upon him. As to Mexton's dealings with the case, Drek had not given them a thought; and he was surprised when the journalist and Miss Clyde called to see him.
 
"Well," said Drek, when the formalities of the reception were ended, "and what do you wish to see me about, Mr. Mexton?"
 
"About the bail¹⁴ of Lester."
 
Drek shook his head. "I am afraid you will find that difficult," he said, sapiently¹⁵.
 
"Why? Miss Clyde and myself are willing to give a bond for Lester's due appearance at his trial. You know we can pay; that we are good for a thousand pounds. I don't suppose the magistrates¹⁶ will ask for a larger amount?"
 
"I don't think they'll ask for any amount!" replied Drek, drily, "because I do not think they will grant bail."
 
"What!" exclaimed Miss Clyde--"do you mean to say that they intend to keep Lester in gaol until the trial?"
 
"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 gallows¹⁸. 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 recollect¹⁹ 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 innocence²⁰?" 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 engraved²¹ 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. Apparently²² he was satisfied, for when the tale ended, he said, after a short meditation²³:
 
"I think you are right, Miss Clyde. Lester is innocent, and if you tell this story to the magistrate¹⁷ 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, musingly²⁴.
 
"It is impossible to say at present," said Paul, on whom the gaze of the inspector rested; "at present the whole matter is enveloped²⁵ 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."
 
"It is my opinion that you will discover nothing," said Miss Clyde, as they left the police office; "the mystery of Milly's death will remain one."
 
There was no difficulty about the release of Lester. The inspector took his visitors before the magistrate, and repeated--with corrections from Miss Clyde--the tale about the pistol. Much impressed by the story, the magistrate accepted bail for Lester at a thousand pounds on the bonds of Miss Clyde and Mexton. At the same time he reproved Miss Clyde for not having told her story at the inquest.
 
"Dr. Lester is innocent," he said,............