"Tell me quickly, 'tis not true, is it? You did not kill Robert Underwood."
He shook his head.
"No," he said.
"Thank God for that!" she exclaimed. "But your confession—what does that mean?"
"I do not know. They told me I did it. They insisted I did it. He was sure I did it. He told me he knew I did it. He showed me the pistol. He was so insistent that I thought he was right—that I had done it." In a deep whisper he added earnestly, "But you know I didn't, don't you?"
"Who is he?" demanded Annie.
"The police captain."
"Oh, Captain Clinton told you you did it?"
Howard nodded.
"Yes, he told me he knew I did it. He kept me standing there six hours, questioning and questioning until I was ready to drop. I tried to sit down; he made me stand up. I did not know what I was saying or doing. He told me I killed Robert Underwood. He showed me the pistol under the strong light. The reflection from the polished nickel flashed into my eyes, everything suddenly became a blank. A few moments later the coroner came in and Captain Clinton told him I confessed. But it isn't true, Annie. You know I am as innocent of that murder as you are."