"You told a lie to shield Don Manuel. It was the Mexican who struck that blow at my friend, and you knew it. How could you a gentleman, and a clergyman stoop to shield a would-be murderer."
Corn rose to his feet and braced himself to a great effort. "You are right," he said frankly, "but I was compelled to such a course."
Herrick nodded. "I know. I have heard all from Santiago."
Corn recoiled. "He told you," he grasped sitting down.
"Yes. He told me how he had you in his power; how he forced you to lie for him. I made him tell me the truth; now I wished to hear the confirmation of this story from you."
"It is true; it is true!" cried Corn desperately. "If he told you that I was a gambler, that I owed money--it is true----"
"I don t mean that so much," said Herrick sharply, "as to the accusation he makes against you of having murdered Colonel Carr."
The clergyman, who had been leaning his head on his arms in an agony of grief, looked up suddenly with a bewildered stare. "Santiago said that about me?" he demanded.
"It is not true?"
"It is the foulest lie he ever spoke!" cried Corn with indignation. "I am bad in many ways Dr. Herrick--yet I have my excuses, as you shall hear. But as to murdering Carr, I did nothing of the sort."