“Ah! Then you acknowledge your guilt?”
“I acknowledge nothing. The accusation is too preposterous for any denial to be necessary. Do you believe this of me?” He looked from one to the other.
“I don't,” said Archie quickly, “there is some mistake.”
“Thank you, Hope. And you, Professor?”
Braddock fidgeted about the room.
“I don't know what to think,” he said at length. “Hervey spoke very decisively.”
“Oh, indeed,” returned Random dryly, and, walking to the door, he locked it. “In that case, I must ask you for an explanation, and neither of you shall leave this room until one is given. Your proofs?”
“Here is one of them,” snapped Braddock, throwing the manuscript on the table. “Where did you get this?”
Random took up the discolored paper with a bewildered air.
“I never set eyes on this before,” he said, much puzzled. “What is it?”