"I know a good deal of what happened before the murder," he said bluntly, "but very little about the crime itself."
"You know all that was reported in the newspapers," replied the fat man, casting the heavy book on the table with some irritation.
"Probably; but now I wish to know such details as were not given to the public You can supply them."
"Certainly! Ask what you like, and I'll answer. You'll arrive at an understanding of the case soonest that way."
Gebb remained silent for a few minutes, and watched Parge lighting his pipe. Then he asked suddenly, "Do you believe that Dean is innocent of this Kirkstone Hall crime?"
"No!" replied Parge, deliberately, "I don't."
"On what grounds?"
"On the grounds of his defence."
"H'm!" said Gebb, with an astonished look; "those are queer grounds on which to doubt a man."
"Well, Absalom, you can judge for yourself. Dean declared that he was innocent."