"I was kept till late at the school and could not get away. It was ten o'clock before I left, as I could not get away earlier although I pleaded an engagement. I thought Flora would enter the house and wait. I arrived a few minutes after ten, and saw the light burning, I then thought she was waiting. I entered with my own key, and went upstairs to where the light was. It was the White Room. There I saw Flora dead--stabbed under the left shoulder-blade. On seeing this I grew afraid, and came away at once."
"Oh!" said Arnold, after another pause; "so it was you Fane heard in the house after ten o'clock?"
"I was there after ten, and I went away early at half-past."
"Who was with you?" asked Tracey; "Fane said there were two men."
"I was alone," said Bocaros; "there was no one with me. All happened as I say. I grew afraid, seeing that I was Flora's cousin, and that it was I who had brought her to the house. Also, I had got the keys for her, and she had made a will in my favour. I fancied if I were found I would be arrested and hanged."
"There was certainly enough evidence to hang you," said Calvert. "I also was afraid when I found the body; I fled also. We all seemed to have lost our heads."
"I don't think you did, Calvert," said Tracey, "considering the slim way you lured that policeman away. Well, professor, did you see any one in the house?"
"Not a soul. I was there only for a quarter of an hour or so."
Luther nodded. "Yes; Fane said he heard you go out. But Fane fancied there were two men."
"I was alone," said the professor positively, and the others believed him. He had no reason to tell lies, seeing the position in which he was placed. His only chance of safety lay in telling the truth--the exact truth, and he appeared to be doing so.