“I have it asserted here, however, by those of whose statements you have already acknowledged the accuracy.”
“It is not the less a falsehood.”
“Perhaps you will allow more correctness to the next allegation? It is said that, under the pretended right to a large inheritance, you visited England, and succeeded in preferring a claim to a vast estate?”
Roland bent his head in assent.
“And that to this property you possessed neither right nor title?”
Roland started: the charge involved a secret he believed unknown, save to himself, Hammond, and Linton, and he could not master his surprise enough to reply.
“But a weightier allegation is yet behind, sir,” said the prefetto, sternly. “Are you the same Roland Cashel whose trial for murder occupied the assizes of Ennis in the spring of the year 18—?”
“I am,” said Cashel, faintly.
“Your escape of conviction depended on the absence of a material witness for the prosecution, I believe?”
“I was acquitted because I was not guilty, sir.”