"Prove that you are so," said Carrington, leaning back in his chair indolently smiling.
Mallien hesitated, then seeing that the barrister knew so much, rushed into an explanation, which he would not have made to a less well-informed person. It was as if a dam had broken, so volubly did the words come tumbling out. Carrington listened attentively.
"I _was_ at the Vicarage on that night," confessed the visitor swiftly. "After Mrs. Beatson told me I thought that I would get the will from Leigh, since I was not sure if Rupert would act straightforwardly."
"Knowing Hendle as you do, why did you think that?"
"The most honest of men might hesitate before stripping himself of all his wealth," retorted Mallien sharply. "However, that is not to the point. I made up my mind to go and then I changed it again. I went to bed determined to go in the morning, but, unable to sleep, I decided to visit the vicar on that night. I rose and, putting on my clothes, went out. As I left my cottage, I heard the church clock chime eleven."
"Oh!" sneered Carrington, remembering the hour of the murder, "then you did not commit the crime?"
"No, I didn't," snarled Mallien viciously. "I got to the Vicarage and, in the darkness of the avenue, I stumbled against a man."
"I don't know. I clutched him by the throat and we struggled. Then he got away and probably wrenched the opal ornament from my watch chain. I missed it the next day, and surmised that I had lost it in the wrestling match. After the man fled I went to the house and peered into the study through the window. I saw Leigh lying apparently dead on the floor, and was seized with fright, lest I should be accused of killing him. I saw my position in a moment, as you may guess."
"You should have given the alarm," said Carrington, quietly.
"Oh, should I?" sneered the other. "You would have done so under the same circumstances, wouldn't you?"
"Perhaps," returned the barrister ambiguously. "I quite see that you were in a very awkward position."
"Of course I was. If the fact of the will came to light, I might have been accused of killing Leigh to get it."
"Which you did," insisted Carrington, "in spite of this cock-and-bull story."
"Hang you!" shouted Mallien fiercely, and clenching his fists. "I tell you I did not. Things happened as I say, and I ran back to my cottage determined to hold my tongue, and let things take their course. That is why I have made no move about the will. The man I struggled with in the avenue was the criminal, and got my opal."