“I mean that before them you pretended to believe me guilty. Knowing what you know, it must have been all a pretence.”
“Knowing what I know! What do you mean?”
“You know very well, indeed, what I mean.”
“I do not.”
“Yes, you do; you are only pretending now. Your
action now is of a piece with your whole conduct ever since December 28, when the money was taken.”
“Roy Henning! what on earth do you mean? You are either crazy, or laboring under some great mistake.”
Garrett saw with alarm the trend of Henning's remarks. Was his cousin going to charge him with the theft? He was very well aware that Roy's charge, if he should make one, would receive much more credence in the yard than would any counter-charge against Roy. He became quite alarmed, for he was quick enough to see some very unpleasant consequences. His look of alarm tended to confirm Roy in his suspicions.
“No wonder you look frightened, cousin—dear cousin—loving cousin,” said Henning sarcastically. He had a long time suffered greatly from innuendo and unfriendliness, but we must do Roy the justice to say that such a manner of speech was uncommon with him. Just at this moment he was nervous and over-irritable and had not complete control of himself or of his words.
“No wonder you look frightened,” he continued, "now that the tables are beginning to turn. I have borne suspicion and averted looks from the boys long enough. You have to bring about a change. You can do it.”