"You have seen Osip?"
"Yes. I need not tell you how I came to meet him. But he accuses you of the murder of Uncle Henry, and for all I know, he may already have given notice to the police."
"What?" asked Ferdy, in a grating voice, "when he is wanted himself, and for that crime?"
"Osip is innocent of this particular crime," interposed Ackworth.
"Then if he did not kill Uncle Henry, I don't know who did," declared Ferdy, his face becoming sullen.
"You WILL tell lies," said Clarice, between her teeth.
"It is the truth; I swear it is the truth."
"Tell your story and let us judge," said Ackworth, imperiously, "and remember, that your life is at stake."
"Would you betray me?"
"We would save you, and only by knowing the absolute truth can we save you. Come, Baird, out with it."