�Absolutely. Yes.�
The stranger reflected. �And there was no conceivable ground for the idea? No one could make out how it started? A quiet conventional sort of fellow like that—where do you suppose he got such a delusion? Did you ever get the least clue to it?�
McCarren stood still, his hands in his pockets, his head cocked up in contemplation of the barred windows. Then he turned his bright hard gaze on his companion.
�That was the queer part of it. I�ve never spoken of it—but I did get a clue.�
�By Jove! That�s interesting. What was it?�
McCarren formed his red lips into a whistle. �Why—that it wasn�t a delusion.�
He produced his effect—the other turned on him with a pallid stare.
�He murdered the man all right. I tumbled on the truth by the merest accident, when I�d pretty nearly chucked the whole job.�
�He murdered him—murdered his cousin?�
�Sure as you live. Only don�t split on me. It�s about the queerest business I ever ran into... Do about it? Why, what was I to do? I couldn�t hang the poor devil, could I? Lord, but I was glad when they collared him, and had him stowed away safe in there!�