"I am right," insisted the girl; "with such a confession, we are safe. Ferdy will say nothing, neither will Mr. Clarke."
"I shall hold my tongue, so long as Ferdinand is not arrested for a crime he never committed," said the parson, "and so long as Frank's good name is saved. Frank was an evil man, but he was also my son."
"Confess, then," said Clarice to Jerce.
He wiped his brow and accepted the situation without argument. It was impossible for him to face the direct evidence of Clarke. "I thank you for the chance of escape," he said to the girl, quietly, "and I promise you that to-night I shall die. I will not live to run the risk of being hanged. Write, Captain Ackworth, and I shall sign."
Anthony dipped the pen into the ink, and waited. Ferdy sat down. Mr. Clarke leaned against the wall, listening intently, and Clarice, determined not to let Jerce go until the confession was signed, stood with her back to the door. Sir Daniel cast a glance around, and, composing himself with a mighty effort, which showed the strong nature of the man, he began to speak quietly:
"I did murder Horran," he said, slowly, "and for two reasons. One was that I wished to learn the nature of the disease which he suffered from, and that could only be made plain by a post-mortem examination. The other, and more ignoble motive, was that I was in league with Barras to get money out of him."
"Then you had the forty thousand pounds?" inquired Clarice, quickly.
"And more," answered the doctor, coolly. "I have a double nature--a Jekyl and Hyde nature, as in Stevenson's wonderful story. As Sir Daniel Jerce, I have won my position by brain power and hard work, and am a philanthropist and a reasonable man. But as Daniel Jerce, the creature, I am devoured by passions, and am capable of lowering myself to the level of the beasts. My life in Harley Street was, and is, above reproach--but my other life----"
"Oh!" cried Clarice, with sudden horror. "Ferdy has told us something of that. Say no more--it's too terrible."
Jerce bowed. "You have been so kind, Miss Baird, that your wish is my law," he said, politely. "Well, then, for my secret life. I required money. I made much, and spent it, and I wanted more. Horran, being only your guardian and not having money of his own, was too honest to help me. Barras came to me, years and years ago, to be cured of a disease. I did cure him, and he was grateful. He lent me his own money for a time, but I still wanted more. Then he lent me some that belonged to the estate, when I was in difficulties, and he lent it out of sheer gratitude to me. Don't blame Barras, Miss Baird. He was as good a man as was Henry Horran. But to make a long story short, from the moment Barras tampered with the trust money, he was in my power, and I threatened to tell Horran unless I received more."