Busham gave a kind of screech, and threw himself halfway across the table, shaking with anger. "You dare to insinuate that I killed my cousin?" he asked, in a whisper.
"Why not; you were with your cousin on that night."
"It is a lie!"
"It is the truth!" cried Mrs. Moxton, finding her voice. "Rudolph saw you following Edgar from the station."
"And who is Rudolph?"
"Monsieur Zirknitz, my brother."
"Another of your shady gang. I dare you to--"
"Speak more civilly," interrupted Ellis, starting up, "or I shall twist that lean neck of yours."
At once the innate cowardice of Busham became apparent. Shaking and white, he dropped back into his chair, terrified at the doctor's angry look and menace. Yet, withal, he could not curb his venomous tongue.
"Violence," he gasped. "You do well, Mrs. Moxton, to bring your bully here."