“You’ve lost something,” he said. “Did that occur in course of the ‘accident’?”
Sir Gregory nodded.
Something in the hang of the second sword attracted Michael’s attention, and, without asking permission, he lifted it down from its hook and drew the blade from the scabbard. It was brown with blood.
“What is the meaning of this?” he asked sternly.
Sir Gregory swallowed something.
“A fellow broke into the house last night,” he said slowly, “a Malayan fellow. He had some cock and bull story about my having carried off his wife. He attacked me, and naturally I defended myself.”
“And had you carried off his wife?” asked Michael.
The baronet shrugged.
“The idea is absurd. Most of these Borneo folk are mad, and they’ll run amok on the slightest provocation. I did my best to pacify him——”
Michael looked at the stained sword.