"Pardon me," interrupted Mr. Mansell, gravely; "but you say you are a detective. Now, I have no information to give a detective."
"Are you sure?" was the imperturbable query.
"Quite," was the quick reply.
"You are then determined upon going to the scaffold, whether or no?" remarked Mr. Gryce, somewhat grimly.
"Yes, if to escape it I must confide in a detective."
"Then you do wrong," declared the other; "as I will immediately proceed to show you. Mr. Mansell, you are, of course, aware of the manner of Mr. Orcutt's death?"
"I know he was struck by a falling limb."
"Do you know what he was doing when this occurred?"
"No."
"He was escorting Miss Dare down to the gate."