I swear he did, "He's quite dead," says Sidney, "then before I could get my breath he went out into the night, and I lost him.
"Why did you not follow?"
"I had to think of my own safety. It was no use my accusing a boy and a half idiot you see. No one would believe he'd killed Carr when I was in the house--and with my blamed past. I just went to the back to make up a bundle and clear out. While I was packing I heard three shots, and jumped for the door. Lord I was in a fright."
"It was Mrs. Marsh."
"Yes. She came down looking like a tigress, and said I'd killed Carr. I was at the door with my bundle. I denied it, and said I'd make it hot for her. She said I'd better look after myself and cleared. I didn't wait you may be sure, for in spite of her firing the shots I didn't know but what she'd rouse the village. So I went straight across the moor and caught the train at Southberry. Here I've been hidden in London ever since. I had money. When that ran out I dropped across that cipher in the paper, and met my fool of a son. Then--well you know the rest."
"It's a strange story," said Herrick much distressed. It did not seem at all unlikely, but that Sidney had killed the Colonel.
"It's a true one. Well, what are you going to do."
"I shall see this boy, and find out if what you say is true."
"Oh! I expect he's such an idiot that he'll think he's done something fine and own up. But that my neck is in danger, I would not split on Sidney. But they'll only shut him up in an asylum. They would hang me, so of two evils I choose the least. Are you off Herrick?"
"Yes, I'll see if this is true, and get you a lawyer."