ure had made grave.

"But since I would not that any evil consequences might attend your
action, I am come to lay proof before you that you have acted more
rightly even than you think, and that I am not the slayer."

"You are not?" ejaculated Master Baine in amazement.

"Oh, I assure you I use no subterfuge with you, as you shall judge. I
have proof to show you, as I say; and I am come to do so now before time
might render it impossible. I do not desire it to be made public just
yet, Master Baine; but I wish you to draw up some such document as
would satisfy the courts at any future time should this matter be taken
further, as well it may."

It was a shrewd plea. The proof that was not upon himself was upon
Lionel; but time would efface it, and if anon publication were made
of what he was now about to show, it would then be too late to look
elsewhere.

"I assure you, Sir Oliver, that had you killed him after what happened I
could not hold you guilty of having done more than punish a boorish and
arrogant offender."

"I know sir. But it was not so. One of the pieces of evidence against
me--indeed the chief item--is that from Godolphin's body to my door
there was a trail of blood."

The other two grew tensely interested. The parson watched him with
unblinking eyes.

"Now it follows logically, I think, inevitably indeed, that the murderer
must have been wounded in the encounter. The blood could not possibly
have been the victim's, therefore it must have been the slayer's.
That the slayer was wounded indeed we know, since there was blood upon
Godolphin's sword. Now, Master Baine, and you, Sir Andrew, shall be
witnesses that there is upon my body not so much as a scratch of recent
date. I will strip me here as naked as when first I had the mischance
to stray into this world, and you shall satisfy yourselves of that.
Thereafter I shall beg you, Master Baine, to indite the document I have
mentioned." And he removed his doublet as he spoke. "But since I will
not give these louts who accuse me so much satisfaction, lest I seem
to go in fear of them, I must beg, sirs, that you will keep this matter
entirely private until such time as its publication may be rendered
necessary by events."

They saw the reasonableness of his proposal, and they consented, still
entirely sceptical. But when they had made their examination they were
utterly dumbfounded to find all their notions entirely overset. Master
Baine, of course, drew