"Assuredly! I wish to save Dr. Lester from suffering an unjust death."
"So do I, so do I! But, oh!"--she struck her hand together--"was ever a woman placed in such a position? If I could only speak!"
"You must," said Paul determinedly, "or else have your step-father's death at your door. Come, Iris, do you know the name of the assassin?"
"No, but I suspect----"
"Suspect whom?"
"Lucas Lovel."
Mexton rose from his seat in astonishment. "Do you believe him guilty, as Herne does?"
"Does Mr. Herne believe in his guilt?" asked Iris quickly.
"So thoroughly that he intends to bring Lovel to the scaffold."
"He will never succeed in doing so," cried the girl involuntarily.