“You carried it to Rule? Answer!” snarled the Viscount.
“No, no, I didn’t. I swear I didn’t!”
Captain Heron, watching him closely, nodded. “Don’t choke him, Pommeroy, I think he’s speaking the truth.”
“If you didn’t take it to Rule, where is it?”
“I haven’t got it!” gasped Mr Drelincourt, his eyes on the Viscount’s pistol.
“Can’t expect us to believe that,”said Sir Roland, impersonally. “Went off to Meering with it, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did, but I never gave it to Rule. Lord Lethbridge has it!”
Sir Roland was so surprised that he released him. “Damned if I can make head or tail of this!” he said. “How the deuce did he come by it?”
“He—he overtook me, and wrested the brooch from me. I couldn’t stop him. I swear I’m telling the truth!”
“There, that’s what all your talk of great-aunts brought about, Pom*!” said the Viscount bitterly.