"Well, Mr. Drek, you see he is not."
"H'm! I wonder who did kill the girl?" said Drek, musingly.
"It is impossible to say at present," said Paul, on whom the gaze of the inspector rested; "at present the whole matter is enveloped 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, "and should not have been put in gaol."
"Dr. Lester is a drunkard," retorted Miss Clyde, "and the fright of being a prisoner on the charge of murder may reform him."
"I doubt it; I doubt it greatly."