"Tell everything you know," cried Mrs. Moxton, with a frown. "Why you should bring my name into the matter I don't know. There is no need for you to explain, Rudolph; you will only romance. Why do you suspect Busham?"
Zirknitz looked at Ellis. "Can I speak freely?" he asked doubtfully.
"Certainly. The doctor is my best friend."
"Ah! so charming to have a best friend. Hear, then, monsieur, and you, my dear Laura. When I was at Dukesfield on the night Edgar was killed--"
"Why," said Ellis, with something of anger in his tones, "you told me you were not at Dukesfield on that night."
Zirknitz shrugged his handsome shoulders. "I told a lie! Oh, yes, I always tell a lie when necessary. I did not know Laura wished me to speak, so I told what was not true. What would you, monsieur? Your questions were indiscreet. My answers were false. Voila!"
"Never mind excusing yourself, Rudolph. What about Mr. Busham?"
"Eh, my dear sister, I believe he killed our poor Moxton! Why not? I saw the excellent Busham in Dukesfield on the night of the death."