"Ha! The pistol you gave to Joyce?"
"The same," replied Santiago coolly, "the weapon with which Carr was murdered."
"Do you mean to say that Corn killed the Colonel?" cried Herrick starting to his feet. "It is a lie. I do not believe it."
"Then why ask me to tell you the truth. It was Corn who killed Carr. He was a gambler, and deeply in the Colonel's debt. Those visits he paid to 'The Pines' were not to convert Carr as he alleged, but to gamble with him. He lost much money to Carr. The Colonel threatened if he did not pay, to denounce him. Corn knew that he would lose his position, if this was done. He knew also that Carr was a threatened man; I had told him. It then occurred to him to kill Carr, and he thought that the suspicion might be shifted on to those who had lost the treasure. Thus his secret and himself would be safe."
"It is incredible!" said Herrick, and even Joyce looked amazed. "It is true," replied the Mexican. "Of course if you will not believe me I really cannot help it. I know that Corn is guilty. He told me so himself, and I took from him the pistol by way of proof. Being thus in my power, I forced him to do my bidding. You can see now, how he declared that I had not left him on the night Señor Marsh was assaulted. It was I who struck him, and Corn by my directions proved the alibi. That is the whole story Señor. Is there anything else you want to know?"
"The whereabouts of Frisco?"
"Ah I can't tell you that. Frisco trusts no one, not even me. When Joyce or myself want to see him, we have to put a cipher into the 'Telegraph.'"
"Then you must do so now; I want to see the man."
"Why? He is innocent."
"So you say. But I have yet to be convinced of Pentland Corn's guilt."