"What do you mean?" asked his brother-in-law, a thrill running through him. He saw now that this was going to be serious for him. "Do you remember the night when you came in at yonder window, muddy and ragged?" Mr. Cass said, slowly. "When you told me a lie--that you had been attacked by footpads and----"
"It was no lie!" cried the man, moistening his dry lips. "I told you what had actually happened."
"Oh, no, you didn't. For instance, you never told me that you had seen Jenner."
He uttered a faint cry, and flung himself back in his chair with a startled look. "I did not see Jenner!" he said.
"Nor did you tell me that you had been at the Turnpike House," continued Mr. Cass, not noticing the interruption.
"That I deny. I was not near the Turnpike House."
With a look of scorn Mr. Cass picked up an object which was lying on the table, and held it out. "Do you know what this is?"
"A piece of gold, so far as I can see. What is that to me?"
"Evidence that you were at the Turnpike House on that night."
"I tell you I was not there!" he cried, desperately. "Oh, don't trouble yourself to tell lies," Mr. Cass said, wearily. "They will avail you nothing in the end. Since you do not choose to recognise this object, let me tell you that it is a part of the set of links I gave you shortly before that murder."