"How could I do that, when I don't know anything about him?"
"Don't question me, but look straight in my face and say, if you can, 'I did not write it.'"
"I don't know what right you have to talk to me in this manner, Mr. Ranger."
"You are only trying to evade my question, that you know well."
"I can only say, I don't know what you are talking about."
"Then it would be very easy for you to say, 'I never wrote such a letter,' if you did not."
"I don't recognise your right to ask me such a question, and therefore I don't choose to answer."
Ranger felt he was getting roused by the man's prevaricating manner and his attempt at bounce,—for it appeared to him to be nothing else,—but by a strong effort he managed to control himself sufficiently to say—
"Will you tell me whether you have written a letter to Quinion, Broadstone, any time within the last six weeks?"
After waiting a few seconds for the reply which Charles—who sat with his eyes intently gazing into the fire—did not attempt to give, John chimed in with, "Why not say at once, Charles, if you know anything about the matter?"