"You insult me, sir."

"Is it possible to insult you, Dr. Turnor?" sneered Fanks.

"I'll make you prove your words," said Turnor, with rather a pale face.

"There will not be much difficulty in doing that--at the proper time."

The ferret of a man eyed Fanks nervously and savagely. "Do you think I have anything to do with the matter of Sir Gregory's death?" he burst out.

"I'll tell you that when I return from Mere Hall," was Fank's reply.

"Mere Hall?" repeated Turnor, betraying himself, which was the reason Fanks had mentioned the name; "what do you know of Mere Hall?"

"That is just what I wish to ask you. What do you know of Mere Hall, sir?"

"Nothing, nothing. I merely repeated your words."

"In a very singular fashion, doctor."