"And that being the case, how can I hope to get free?"
"You can prove----"
"I can prove nothing," interrupted Herries despairingly. "I was in the next room, and my uncle was murdered. The razor, the pocket-book and the key of Sir Simon's bedroom were in my possession, and stains of blood were on my shirt sleeve. In the face of such evidence, how can I prove my innocence? I have nothing but my bare word."
"But cannot anyone give evidence in your favour?"
"Michael Gowrie might."
"Humph. I hear that the old scoundrel was at the 'Marsh Inn.' Trent told me. I remember him in Edinburgh ages ago. I wonder if he----"
"No," said Herries, emphatically, "Gowrie is an old scamp, but he would not commit a crime."
"Well, I don't know. It seems that Sir Simon brought some money with him in gold and notes. Gowrie was always a money-grubber."
"Yes, but even he would not have the nerve to cut a man's throat and then incriminate me, who had done him no harm."
"A man will do much to get money and to save himself," said the doctor sententiously. "What do you think Mr. Kind?"