The gang looked at me with a new hatred.
Lorina laughed harshly. "Oh, this isn't Enderby," she said. "Enderby was at the Sanatorium to-night seeing his girl. We had the two of them together, and this traitor double-crossed us!"
They began to move threateningly towards my corner.
"Keep back!" cried Lorina. "Let's hear what he has to say first."
I licked my dry lips and did the best I could for myself. "You've got no proof!" I cried. "How could I have sent a telegram? I was never out of Freer's sight. Why should I have signed it Enderby if Enderby was out there? You all know I'm no bull but a workman at Dunsany's. I can account for every minute of my time since Jumbo first picked me up!"
Lorina was nearer me than any of the men. She took a step forward. I guarded my face. But that was not her point of attack. Her hand shot out, and the wig was snatched from my head. There I stood with my bare poll. The jig was up.
A loud laugh broke from the men—jackals' laughter, before tearing their prey. A different kind of sound came from Freer.
"My God! it's Mr. Dunsany!" he gasped.
"Eh?" said Lorina.
"Walter Dunsany," he repeated, staring as if he saw a ghost.