"Shortly afterwards Lucas came to my tent, and I promised to save him by swearing to a lie at the inquest. I did so; but I did not tell him that I had killed the girl. Afterwards, when I heard that he was likely to be accused, I told Mr. Mexton that the Vicar had killed Miss Lester. When I saw Mr. Chaskin it was before the murder was committed, and he was going away from the Winding Lane. I accused him only to save Lucas, and because his name was on the pistol."
"I have had a fortunate escape," said Chaskin, thankfully. "What a wicked old woman."
Drek finished the manuscript. "I would not have confessed the truth now," were Mrs. Jimboy's final words, "but I am dying. It will do me no good to hurt Mr. Chaskin, and I can save Lucas as well by confessing myself the criminal. I killed Miss Lester, and everybody else accused of the crime is innocent. I am dying, and I ask everybody's pardon. I am a wicked woman, and I did a wicked deed, but it was to benefit my grandson. Let Lucas marry Miss Clyde, so that I shall not have sinned for nothing. I ask no more."
This document was signed in a shaky manner by the old gipsy, and was witnessed by Paul Mexton and another man. It exonerated all persons from the chance of being accused, and revealed plainly the name of the assassin--Mother Jimboy--and the reason for the assassination--her love for Lucas Lovel.
"Well," said Paul, when Drek had finished reading the confession, and had put it in his pocket to carry it to the proper quarter, "the mystery is solved at last; Milly's murderer is known, and has escaped the reward of her evil deed."
"She has gone before the court of God," said Chaskin solemnly.
"May He have mercy on her sin," sighed Herne; after which there was nothing more to be said, and the four men parted--the Squire and Chaskin to Barnstead, and Paul, with Drek, to lay the confession of Mother Jimboy, deceased, before the magistrates.
* * * * * *
And here, with the discovery of Milly's assassin, the main interest of the tale, such as it is, comes to an end. But those who have been interested in this drama of a provincial town may desire to know how the other characters fared when the culminating point of the tragedy with which they were concerned was reached. The play is played out, the actors leave the stage; and now remains the question: What became of them?
Well, Paul Mexton ended in marrying Iris Link, and in becoming the sub-editor of the "Tory Times." He still lives at Marborough, and has not yet realised his desire to dwell in London; but that ambition may be accomplished when he writes his great book. Iris, who is devoted to her husband, and is happier than ever she was in her life, believes in the book; also that Paul will become a celebrated author. At present, however, Paul's ambition is bounded by the hope that he may become the editor of his paper. And as these two are content and happy in their own small way, we may leave them.