"What do you mean?"
"He! he! that will take some time to explain. If you would rather be alone with me--"
"Alone with you," repeated the widow, in tones of disgust. "I would rather be alone with a serpent. Dr. Ellis shall stay--at my particular request."
"Dr. Ellis has no intention of leaving," remarked that gentleman, and folding his arms relapsed into a grim but observant silence.
Busham, with a vexed air, scratched his chin with one lean finger. "As you please," said he, with apparent carelessness, "but he will not think much of you when I tell all."
"You know nothing about that," retorted Mrs. Moxton, very pale, but in a steady voice, "and I have come here to learn all. Of what do you accuse me?"
"All in good time, dear lady," said Busham, harshly. "This knife was found by me in your garden, on the morning I called to see you after the murder."
"Are you sure you did not find it there on the previous night?" asked the widow, sneering.
"I was not in the garden on that night."
"Neither was the assassin," interposed Ellis, quickly. "Moxton was stabbed as he stepped in at the gate."