"On the contrary," said Dr. Jim, "I have been working at it all these months trying to learn the truth. Stephen and Bess have been helping me."
"Well," said Ida, looking from her lover to the doctor, "I do call it mean. I should have been told."
"It would only have worried you, dear," said the Squire.
"But what is the difficulty?" cried Frank puzzled. "Frisco killed the Colonel. There was no secret about that."
"Frisco did not kill Carr," said Herrick, "the jury were wrong, so were we all. It was Petronella who shot the man."
Stephen jumped up, as Bess uttered a cry of amazement. "Petronella," he stammered. "Thank God! Sidney did not do it.
"Sidney!" cried Bess and Ida in a breath.
Herrick hurriedly explained. "Frisco accused Sidney because he was in the house at the time of the murder. That was when you were looking for him, Bess. Do you remember?"
"I should think so," she cried. "No wonder I could not find him. But Petronella. Was the pistol hers and the silver bullet?"
"What are you talking about, Bess dear?"