"He claims," continued Sir Bryson, "that you were the only person who knew of his intention to leave Montreal for good, and that after he had gone you took the money and let the theft be fastened on him. Is that true?"
There was the same tense pause while they waited for the answer.
"It is not true," said Garrod. "I knew he was going away, but I knew nothing about the money until the shortage was discovered." There was a pause, and then Garrod went on in his level, toneless voice, "I never accused him of taking it. I was the only one who stood up for him. You can ask anybody who worked in the bank."
A note of bitter laughter escaped from Jack.
Sir Bryson frowned. "He says," he went on, "that you wrote a statement this morning confessing that you took the money."
There was a longer pause before Garrod spoke. "Before or after the accident of the boat?" he asked.
Sir Bryson looked at Jack.
"Before," said Jack indifferently.
"It is not true," said Garrod. "I remember everything that happened up to that time."
Sir Bryson appealed to the company at large. "Surely we have heard enough," he said. "We have laid bare an impudent attempt on the part of this young man to fasten his crime on one whom he thought incapable of defending himself." He looked at Jack with the most terrible air he could muster. "Have you anything to say for yourself now?" he barked.