"Well, yes. Francis, same as mine."
"And did the revolver belong to him?"
"It did. I got it from my aunt. There was a silver plate on it with my father's initials, and my own, of course."
"She might have seen the revolver produced in court," said Jarman, thoughtfully; "but why should she state that it was your father's?"
"Chance shot!" suggested Frank.
"No. She knew the initials on it were your father's and not yours. H'm! She's in this conspiracy along with Berry."
Lancaster rose to pace the room in an exasperated manner. "Why should there be a conspiracy?" he demanded.
"You've asked me that before," said Jarman, calmly, "and I have replied that I think money is at the bottom of it. Evidently Berry forced his acquaintance on you; and Fairy Fan made the running to create jealousy and bring about this catastrophe. Money, my boy!"
Frank sat down in despair. "I don't see it," he said, pushing his hands into his pockets. "Supposing there is money (though for the life of me I can't think where it's to come from), why is it needful for me to be hanged before Berry and Fairy Fan get it?"
"That's what puzzles me," said Eustace, nodding. "If they wanted you out of the way, they could have polished you off at Sand Lane as easily as they did Starth."