"Yes; I followed them for a purpose."
"To kill Milly," said Paul, wondering at her coolness.
Miss Clyde shook her head, and opening a drawer, produced therefrom a pistol. "I followed them to obtain that revolver," she said, and handed the weapon to Paul.
CHAPTER XIII.
[THE DEFENCE OF MISS CLYDE.]
It was not to be denied that the conversation between Miss Clyde and the journalist had opened in a highly dramatic fashion. Mexton, prompted by the recollection of Brent's revelation and accusation--had in sufficient plain language accused her of murdering Milly Lester. In answer to this Miss Clyde had placed in his hands a revolver which she admitted having obtained possession of on that fatal night. The unfortunate girl had been shot; Paul asked himself if the crime had been consummated by the weapon which Miss Clyde had produced, and which, in a somewhat dazed fashion, he held in his hand.
"No," said his hostess, reading his thoughts in his face; "Milly was not killed by a shot from that pistol. But she might have been."
"I don't understand what you mean," stammered Paul.
"It is not difficult to understand," rejoined Miss Clyde, shrugging her fine shoulders. "I took that pistol from a would-be murderer."
"Mr. Lovel?"