"It was never in his possession."
"But we find it in his room—"
"I know, and I put it there last night during his absence. He has never seen the weapon."
"Preposterous."
"Yes, thin!"
Mrs. Bordine became exceedingly angry at these incredulous remarks. She at once told how the dagger came into her possession.
Her story was greeted with contemptuous laughter.
The suspicions of the officers now became convictions.
"I am sorry for you, Mrs. Bordine," said Sergeant Railing. "I had hoped that you had no guilty knowledge of your son's iniquities. It seems that you're no better than he, and I must therefore take you with me."
"Take me with you?"