Markham tactfully changed the subject.
“What I came particularly to tell you, professor, is that Mr. Sperling called a short time ago and, when informed of Mr. Robin’s death, confessed to having done it himself. . . .”
“Raymond confessed!” gasped Miss Dillard.
Markham looked at the girl sympathetically.
“To be quite frank, I didn’t believe Mr. Sperling. Some mistaken idea of chivalry undoubtedly led him to admit the crime.”
“ ‘Chivalry’?” she repeated, leaning forward tensely. “What exactly do you mean by that, Mr. Markham?”
It was Vance who answered.
“The bow that was found on the range was a woman’s bow.”
“Oh!” The girl covered her face with her hands, and her body shook with sobs.
Professor Dillard regarded her helplessly; and his impotency took the form of irritation.