“I thought I heard something fall,” said another.
“Too cowardly to come openly,” said Trevannion.
The room seemed to turn round with Louis.
“How did you come by this?” said Hamilton.
There was no answer.
“I will have an answer, Louis,” he said: “and if you don't give it to me, you shall to Dr. Wilkinson!”
Louis murmured something that no one heard.
“What?” said Hamilton, sharply; “speak so as we can all hear. If you have brought it back for some one else,” he added, in a softened tone, “say so at once; only let me know who took it.”
“I took it,” replied Louis, with a great effort.
“You ungrateful viper!” exclaimed Jones.