"Why not?" asked Herries surprised.
Pope opened his mouth to speak, but his watchful mother put her hand over his mouth.
"You never did it, lovey; you know nothink," she said, significantly.
"But I can prove that he did," said Kyles. "Pope did not return," he went on quickly, "because he knew that I could not give the alarm without incriminating myself, and he intended, if I did, to accuse me of killing the old man. I guessed that, and afterwards I made him confess that he intended to act in that way. So there I sat in the darkness. Then I remembered the papers on the table, and examined them to see if Sir Simon had made any mention of the appointment. I found my own letter, and confiscated that----"
"How did you see in the dark?" asked Ritson, suspiciously.
"I lighted matches, as I was afraid to relight the candle. Well then, I also found a small pocket diary written up to the time Sir Simon went to bed. It mentioned that Angus Herries was in the house, and sleeping there----"
"How did my uncle know that?" asked Herries much amazed.
"He overheard your voice raised when talking to Gowrie, and peered out of the parlour to see who it was. He recognised you----"
"Nae, nae," said Gowrie waving the smoke away from his eyes, "he cudnae hae recognised the laddie sae changed wi' weary travels. But Angus here talked tae me, his auld tutor, and I spoke his name at times. Aye, and I mind me noo, the door of the parlour opened and shut, while we hed oor crack."
"I don't remember that," said Angus thoughtfully.