"Ah, you have always been clever enough to keep things dark," said Ferdy, bitterly. "But I overheard you talking to Barras. I know that you were in league with him to cheat Uncle Henry out of our money, and the forty thousand pounds went into--"
"You lie--you lie," interrupted the doctor, losing his temper, and a perspiration broke out on his high bald forehead. "You know that you lie. You can't prove a word you say."
"Barras can, and Barras will."
"Barras will not. Send for Barras now. I appeal to you, Miss Baird. I appeal to you, Captain Ackworth. My character is at stake. I demand that you telegraph to London for Barras, that he may be confronted with this young liar. I am not afraid to face the truth."
The doctor spoke so bravely and so fiercely that for the moment Anthony and Clarice wavered in their belief of Ferdy's story. They knew well that Ferdy was a supreme liar, and, on the face of it, Sir Daniel Jerce's character had always been above reproach. The doctor saw that he had made an impression, and followed up his advantage, swiftly and vehemently.
"That Ferdinand should accuse me is no surprise," he went on, in a ringing voice. "I have done so much for him, that it is natural he should be ungrateful. I have always found that those I have helped have been my worst enemies. Ferdinand is indebted to me for money, for advice, for education, and for liberty."
"For liberty?" echoed Clarice, drawing near to the speaker.
"Yes! That young whelp received a cheque from me for twenty pounds as a loan. He altered the figures and the writing to two hundred pounds with a cleverness which would have done credit to an accomplished forger. I could have put him in gaol. But I forgave him, and this ingratitude is my reward."
"One moment, Ferdy," said Clarice, checking her brother's speech with a gesture, "where is the forged cheque, Sir Daniel?"
Jerce was taken aback. "I gave it to Ferdinand," he said, sullenly.