"And where did you pick it up, Jerry?"
He shook his head. "I can't tell you that," he snapped, and frowned.
"Well, I know that you picked it up not far from the Turnpike House, my friend, and that you dropped the other part of the link under the window."
"The window!" gasped Jerry, turning almost blue with suppressed fear.
"Yes; the window of the Turnpike House through which you killed Jenner." Hutt stared blankly at him, his eyes starting from his head. Then he gave vent to a long howl like that of a beaten dog, and slipped on to his knees. "Oh, don't hurt me!" he sobbed. "I never did anything! I'll tell you all. I'm frightened--the master said I'd be caught some day!"
"Then you did kill him!" Heron almost shouted.
"No, I didn't," snuffled the man. "You can't hang me for not doing what I didn't do! Here!" loosening the breastpin, "you can have it." He threw it to Heron. "I don't want to be put in gaol, please--please!"
His dim brain had seized upon the idea--from the few words Heron had spoken--that the gentleman knew all, and could hang him.