Herbert looked at the face, and his countenance reflected the astonishment of Berry Jawkins and of Garth.
"Why!" exclaimed the young solicitor, starting back, "it is Ted Hersham."
[CHAPTER XXI].
THE EIGHT BELLS ENIGMA.
Although Fanks quite expected this revelation, he was, nevertheless, rather astonished at its unexpected confirmation. From that bicycle ride of Hersham's to Taxton-on-Thames to thwart his designs on Anne Colmer, Fanks had deduced certain suspicions; the hesitation of the journalist had confirmed those suspicions. Frankly speaking, he had no reason to connect Hersham with the negro; but he had been satisfied from the evidence of Simeon Wagg that Caesar--Dr. Binjoy's servant--had not been away from the Surrey village on that fatal night. Failing the real negro someone must have personated the black man; from the behaviour of Hersham, Fanks thought he might be the person in question. His random shot had hit the bull's-eye; it was quite an accident that it had done so.
"I expected as much," said Fanks, again restoring the photograph; to his pocket-book. "I told you, Garth, that I was right to trust to my instincts. This discovery explains the extraordinary conduct of Hersham."
"In what way?"
"I shall tell you later on. In the meantime let us hear what this man has to say."
He turned towards Berry Jawkins as he spoke, and waited for him to speak. The barman looked rather downcast, and when he did open his mouth it was to revert to the subject of the reward.
"I'm a poor man, gentlemen," he said, in a whining tone, "and I hope you mean fair about this thirty puns."