"Why should I? I never even heard his name, that I can recollect. If he has any grudge against me, I cannot understand the reason, seeing, as I have said, that he is unknown to me."
"I did not say that he had a grudge against you."
"No, but you hinted as much. After all, I suppose I am the man who is so well hated. At least, I can take your speech in no other way."
"I don't mean you at all. I allude to Marshall--your brother-in-law."
"Marshall!" Mr. Cass sprang to his feet and his face turned positively grey; this time Geoffrey had no reason to complain of indifference: it was plain that his host feared the revelation about to be made against his sister's husband. "I don't quite understand," he said. "What has Marshall----"
"I think you understand very well, Mr. Cass; and I can only wish that during our last conversation you had spoken out. If you want the truth in plain words, I say that Frank Marshall murdered Jenner at the Turnpike House to recover a bill of exchange on which he had forged my father's name."
"Stop! Stop!" cried Mr. Cass, dropping back into his seat. "What--what grounds have you--such an accusation----"
"Is it not true?"
"Upon my word of honour, I cannot say."
"I think you can, Mr. Cass. You know that Mrs. Jenner is innocent and that Marshall is guilty."