After this extraordinary outbreak of Herne's, in which he accused himself of Milly's murder, Chaskin led him away, and the court was adjourned¹ till next day. The situation of a man accusing himself thus was so utterly² without precedent³ that the presiding judge did not know how to act. Without sifting⁴ the matter and finding why Herne accused himself so publicly, he did not want to take upon himself the responsibility of ordering his arrest. Moreover, the judge, who knew somewhat of Herne's eccentricities⁵, was privately⁶ of the opinion that the man was not quite right in his mind. The tragic⁷ death of his future wife had evidently disturbed the balance of his brain, and had led him in a frenzy⁸ of horror and self-humiliation to accuse himself publicly of a crime he had not committed. On these grounds, reasonable enough, Herne was permitted to go free, until the truth of his extraordinary confession⁹ could be proved.  
Nevertheless, the judge, while thus cautious and lenient¹⁰, intimated that it was his opinion that the police should personally see after Herne. If he were guilty, he should be arrested forthwith, if insane, he was not fit to be at large. Acting¹² upon this advice, Inspector¹³ Drek followed Herne and Chaskin to their hotel, and requested an interview. In response to his inquiry¹⁴ the Vicar presented himself.
 
"You cannot see Mr. Herne at present," he said gravely; "he is much excited; but I have persuaded him to lie down. Is it your intention to arrest him, Mr. Drek?"
 
"If I see reason to adopt so extreme a course," replied Drek. "What is your opinion of this confession, sir?"
 
"I don't believe one word of it."
 
"You think, then, that Mr. Herne is innocent?"
 
"Most decidedly," returned Chaskin. "He is as guiltless as I am."
 
"Is that a good example?" said Drek with some dryness. "You know that Mrs. Jimboy accuses you as the author of the crime, on the evidence of the pistol."
 
"I do not wonder at her belief," answered Chaskin quietly; "the pistol is mine; it has my name on the butt¹⁵, and it was found on the spot where the poor girl's body was discovered by me. Men have been hanged on less evidence, Mr. Drek."
 
"No doubt; but they have made some attempt to defend themselves," retorted the inspector. "You, sir, as I understand from Messrs. Lovel and Mexton, decline to say if you are innocent or guilty."
 
"I did decline," was the Vicar's reply, "for the sake of my poor friend; but----"
 
"Ah!" cried Drek, sharply, "then you were afraid lest he should be arrested; you refused to speak, so as to screen him?"
 
"I did," said Chaskin simply. "You must remember, sir, that Mr. Herne is my dearest friend, and I would do much to save him from the consequences of his own folly¹⁶."
 
"What folly? The public confession?"
 
"Yes--a public confession which is false?"
 
"If it is false, why should Mr. Herne make it? A man does not put his neck in danger for nothing."
 
"Are you so sure of that, Mr. Drek? I have heard of many men giving themselves up for crimes of which they were guiltless."
 
"Uneducated men."
 
"Yes, and men of education also. I tell you, Mr. Drek, that my friend did not fire that shot."
 
"Then who did? Yourself?"
 
"No; I am innocent, as I can say now freely. I refused to speak because I thought that my speaking might get Herne into trouble. Now that he has made a public statement--not a confession, mind you--accusing himself of a crime which he did not commit, I think it my duty to tell you what I know. Sit down, please, Mr. Drek, and listen to what I have to say."
 
Drek did so, in some perplexity, for he did not know what the Vicar could tell him likely to nullify Herne's statement. Only a knowledge of the name of the real assassin could prove Herne's innocence¹⁷, and the Vicar confessed that he was ignorant of such name. However, the case had become so complicated that Drek was thankful for any story, or confession, or statement, or declaration likely to throw light on its darkness. Therefore he forebore to speak, and with his keen eyes fixed¹⁸ upon Chaskin, he waited patiently to hear what the Vicar had to say. At the present moment Drek's mind was in a state of confusion.
 
"When Messrs. Mexton and Lovel came to see me last week," explained Chaskin, "I had just parted from my friend. He had lately returned from London, where he had seen a lady called Catinka Poluski."
 
"I know," said Drek, with a nod; "the violinist. Mexton told me about her."
 
"Well, it appears that she was in the lane on the night of the murder."
 
"I know that also, Mr. Chaskin. She saw the corpse¹⁹, and to inculpate²⁰ Mr. Herne, so as to get a hold on him for his money, she left a rainbow feather on the spot. Herne knew by that of her presence, and went up to see her. Well, sir, and what did she say?"
 
"She stated that she saw Herne watching Miss Lester and Lovel; also that he fired a pistol and killed the girl; then he fled."
 
"Do you believe that, Mr. Chaskin?"
 
"No," replied the Vicar decidedly, "because when Herne saw the pair he was thrown into such a state of emotion that he fell into a trance. When he recovered the girl was dead, and the pistol was gone."
 
"Lovel told me about the trance," said Drek thoughtfully. "But about this pistol. It is yours, I believe?"
 
"Yes. And on that assumption Mr. Lovel accused me of the crime. I said nothing in order to screen my friend; but I can tell you now, Mr. Drek. Herne took that pistol out of the case in my study three months ago."
 
"For what reason?"
 
"Well, you know Herne is philanthropic, and has many acquaintances amid humble²¹ people; also amid Socialistic societies. One of these societies asked him for money, which he refused to give, as he did not approve of the purposes for which the society had been founded. In a rage--for the members had revealed their secrets to Herne--they threatened to kill him. He told me of this, and laughed at their threats; but I, knowing the class of reckless men he had to deal with, advised him to go armed. I gave him that pistol myself."
 
"And he had it with him on the night of the murder?"
 
"Yes, Mr. Drek," added the Vicar after a pause. "I do not mind telling you that the mind of my friend is not properly balanced. He had an idea that Milly Lester was lost if she did not marry him; and hearing of her entanglement

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