Strange drew his hand out of his pocket. "On the contrary, it is here," he said. "And it has never been out of my possession. As to your identifying it, there are dozens like it in the country. It is the style all the stores carry."
Ambrose shrugged. "I've nothing more to say," he said. "The man is a liar. The truth is bound to come out in the end."
The white men paid little attention to this, but it stung Strange to reply. "If Mr. Gaviller were able to speak he'd soon decide between us!"
At that moment, as if Strange's speech had evoked, him, they heard
Giddings in the hall.
"Has he spoken?" they asked breathlessly.
Colina kept her eyes hidden.
Giddings nodded. "He sent me down-stairs to order Macfarlane to arrest
Doane."
Colina fell back against the door-frame with a hand to her breast.
"Did he—did he see him?" she whispered.
"No," said Giddings reluctantly. "He did not see his assailant. But said to accuse Strange of the deed was the act of a desperate criminal."
"You're under arrest!" Macfarlane said bruskly to Ambrose. Turning to
Colina, he added deprecatingly: "You had better leave the room, Miss
Gaviller."