"I was playing my turn at the circus in Westhaven when the shot was fired," said Giles coolly.
"I didn't say you shot the man yourself; but you know who did."
"No, I don't," said Merry, his face growing dark; "if I did know the man, I'd make him a present. I'd like to have killed Strode myself. He played me many a dirty trick, and I said I'd be even with him. But some one else got in before me. As to arrest," he went on sneeringly, "don't you think I'd be such a fool as to come down here, unless I was sure of my ground. Arrest me indeed!"
"I can on suspicion. You're in with the Perry Street gang."
Giles cast a look towards the inn and laughed. "Well, you've got to prove that I and the rest have done wrong, before you can run us all in."
"The wooden hand----"
"Oh, we know all about that, and who stole it," said Giles meaningly.
Allen started. He saw well enough that he could not bring Giles to book without mentioning the name of his father. Therefore he changed his mind about calling on Wasp to interfere, and contented himself with a warning. "You'd best clear out of this by to-morrow," said he angrily. "I shan't have you, troubling your wife."
"My wife! Ha--ha!" Merry seemed to find much enjoyment in the remark.
"Or Miss Strode either."