CHAPTER XVIII.
[IRIS CONFESSES.]
Paul received this confession in silence, then said: "May I ask why you placed a rainbow feather on the body?"
"For reason particular, Mr. Critic," replied Catinka, calmly. "I wished this good Herne to join my society, and give of his money. If not joining freely, I willed that he should be forced to, for his safety. See you, I gave him a rainbow feather, and such a one was found by the dead. Then, you conceive, I could swear I never put it on the body, and Mr. Herne alone could have done it, since no one but he could have a feather like that in Barnstead. So you see"--Catinka shrugged her shoulders--"he would be called the murderer if I spoke. When he came to me I tell him all this, and vow to speak if he gives me not the money."
"A kind of blackmailing," said Paul, wondering at the shameless way in which she spoke. "And what did Mr. Herne say to this?"
"Oh, he will give me a reply when the trial of the caught man is done."
"Dr. Lester?"
"Yes; the father of the dead lady."
"But you know Lester is innocent?"
"Eh! that may be so," replied Catinka, with another shrug; "but how is it that I should know?"