There was such a long pause after Detective Gillett had exploded his bomb, that the obligation of opening up the situation suggested itself to him.
“Do you deny that?” he asked.
“I do not.” In a clear tone and without any indication of embarrassment the young man made his reply.
“You admit that your statement is false?”
“I do.”
“What was your object in making a false statement to the police?”
“I am not prepared to tell you at present.”
“Well, perhaps you know your own business best, Captain Marsland, but I warn you that you are in a very serious position. It is for you to decide whether the truth will help you or not.”
“Do you intend to make a charge against me?”
Gillett was taken aback at this blunt question. He had arranged the interview because he believed he was in a position to embarrass the young man with a veiled threat of police action, but the young man, instead of waiting for the threats, wanted to know if the police were prepared to act. But Detective Gillett was too experienced an officer to display the weakness of his hand.