"Give me your reason, and I will disprove it," was the reply of Lovel.
"A certain person wrote to me that you intended to meet Miss Lester."
"What is the name of your informant?"
"I decline to give it, Mr. Lovel."
"In that case," said Lucas, moving on, "I must decline to answer further questions."
"No!" cried Herne, laying a strong grasp on the arm of the young man, "you don't escape me that way, you--you murderer!"
"Murderer!" repeated Lovel, shaking off the grip of the other. "What do you mean?"
"Mean, sir?--that you shot Miss Lester; that you killed my promised wife!"
"You are mad to make so monstrous an accusation!" said Lovel, sharply. "I would not have hurt a hair of Miss Lester's head. I--I--I respected her too much."
"You mean you loved her too much," scoffed Herne.