"What! Was a scarfpin of garnets really found in the grounds of The Laurels?"
"It was. Mrs. Bezel described the jewel to me, and asserted that it was discovered near the bank of the stream."
"Does she know to whom it belonged?"
"No! She had no recollection of having seen it before. Neither your father nor Jeringham wore a scarfpin of that pattern."
"It is curious that Hilliston should insist that such a pin never existed."
"It is very curious," assented Tait significantly, "especially as it was shown to him by Denis Bantry. This one fact ought to convince you that Hilliston is playing us false."
"My doubts were confirmed by his manner to-night," replied Claude gloomily. "I don't know what his reason may be, or how I can reconcile his present behavior with his kindness to my mother, but he certainly seems anxious to thwart us if he can."
Tait guessed what the reason was very well, but was too wise to explain himself. Granted that a bond existed between Mrs. Bezel and the lawyer, and the whole thing became clear, but Mrs. Bezel was Claude's mother, so Tait held his peace.
"Why wasn't the scarfpin produced at the trial?" asked Claude, seeing his friend made no answer.
"Only one man can answer that question—Denis Bantry."