"No," said George slowly, "because I never saw him before in all my life."
"Ah—you admit it," cried Allan Harrowby with relief.
"Of course I do," replied George. "I never saw you before in my life."
"And you've never been at Rakedale Hall, have you?" Lord Harrowby demanded.
"Here—wait a minute—" shouted Trimmer, in a panic.
"Oh, yes—I've been at Rakedale Hall," said the claimant firmly. "I spent my boyhood there. But you've never been there."
"I—what—"
"You've never been at Rakedale Hall. Why? Because you're not Allan Harrowby! That's why."
A deathly silence fell. Only a little traveling clock on the mantel was articulate.
"Absurd—ridiculous—" cried Lord Harrowby.