"Mr. Herne!" said Iris, in a low voice, and with a flush--"he believes Lovel guilty also?"
"Yes--and without your grounds for belief. Also, he declares that Lovel bribed Brent to hold his tongue."
"Does Mr. Herne think that Brent saw the murder committed?"
"Oh, no! but he thinks that Brent saw Lovel with Milly."
"I am certain Milly, poor girl, was with Lovel on that night, and I believe he killed her."
There was a few minutes' silence, and then Paul turned quickly towards Iris. "I want to ask you a rather rude question," said he, awkwardly.
"What is it?"
"You won't be angry?"
"I am long past feeling anger after what I have gone through," said Iris, sadly. "What is it you wish to know, friend?"
"You asked me not to search for the assassin of Milly; and now I find that you believe the assassin to be Lovel. Are you in love with the man, that you sought to screen him?"