"Eh?" said Catinka, attempting no denial. "You see me there?"
"No, but I know that you were there--and also that you were in the Winding Lane on the night a young lady was killed."
Catinka leaned her cheek on her hand and looked at him curiously. "You are a police?" she asked.
"No, but I wish to know why you were there?"
"Oh, most certainly, my dear sir, you shall," said the violinist calmly. "I was in your Barnstead to watch on Mr. Herne--Darcy Herne--who was there on that night also."
CHAPTER XVII.
[THE SOCIETY OF THE RAINBOW FEATHER.]
The statement made by Catinka was so incredible and improbable that Paul could only stare and repeat it. "You came to Barnstead to watch Mr. Herne!" he said, slowly. "I do not quite understand. Mr. Herne was in London on that night.
"Ah! pardon, but no," replied Catinka, vivaciously. "Mr. Herne--this good man--he was at your Barnstead; but he does not require one to speak of it. So he requests me."
"You have seen Herne?" cried Mexton, recalling the fact that the Squire was in town at that moment.