"This is insufferable conduct, sir. Insufferable," he cried.
I should have to hit him harder if I was to do anything with him. "Tell me then what you were doing at the house of Herr Ziegler just after he had been assassinated last night?"
The effect was instantaneous. He turned very white, stared at me for a second and began to tremble violently.
"What do you mean?" he faltered after a pause.
"I was there and saw you, Baron."
He clasped his hands to his face and fell back into a chair.
"Remember, please, that I speak only as a friend. I declare to you on my honour that I have no motive but to help you. But I must be told everything. Put yourself unreservedly into my hands, and I can and will save you; but there must be no half measures. I repeat, you must tell me everything."
For a long time he was unable to speak a word, and I made no attempt to force matters. I wished him to recover some measure of self-control.
"I had nothing to do with that--that deed," he said presently, speaking in a slow broken tone.
"I know that. I know that the man was dead before you arrived; but your companions came prepared to do it, and but for my presence, there would have been a second murder."