"He was the detective employed by the prosecution to hang my client; but he did not succeed, for Dean still lives."
"Ah, does he? Do you know where he is to be found?" asked Gebb, sharply.
"No!" replied Prain, shaking his head. "I know that he escaped about four years ago, and that Miss Gilmar, out of fear of him, left Kirkstone Hall lest he should kill her; I know no more."
"You know one thing at least," retorted Gebb, astonished at the coolness of the man, "that Dean killed Miss Gilmar."
"I deny that," said Prain, sharply; then after a pause, he added, "Do you know why I came back to England on reading about her death?"
"No, I do not! How should I?"
"And why I intended to call on you?"
"No! You'll have to answer your own questions, Mr. Prain."
"Then I'll tell you," said the solicitor, slowly. "I wish to find out if Miss Gilmar left a confession behind her stating why, and how, she killed John Kirkstone; it was for that reason I returned so quickly."
"Miss Gilmar kill Kirkstone?" cried Gebb, thinking of his own suspicions. "Why, even your unhappy client did not accuse her."