He eyed them sternly, his gaze focusing last on Thaxton Vail. Then, as silence was restored, he picked up the watch and held it toward the blinkingly wondering Clive.
Chapter IX
A LIE OR TWO
“MR. CREEDE,” said he, “look carefully at this watch. Do you recognize it?”
“Of course I do,” replied Clive. “It’s mine. How did—?”
“This watch, Mr. Creede,” said the chief, slowly, “has just been turned over to me by your brother.”
“My brother?” asked Clive, surprised.
As he spoke his eyes searched the room, peering into the farther shadows in quest of Osmun.
“He has gone,” said the chief, reading the glance. “But before he went he pulled this watch out of the vest pocket of—Mr. Thaxton Vail. You admit it is yours. The watch that was stolen from your room this evening. Therefore—”
“Clive!” broke in Vail. “You know me well enough to—”
“Mr. Vail,” interrupted the chief, “it is my duty to warn you that anything you say may be used against you. Now, then, Mr. Creede: You have identified this watch as the one stolen from you. It was taken from Mr. Vail’s pocket in the presence of all of us. You can swear to the identification?”