"This must be a joke!" said Brand, in assumed surprise. "Who makes the charge?"
The officer pointed out Gerald.
"Never saw him before in my life!" he exclaimed.
"Perhaps you never saw me, Mr. Turner?" struck in the reporter.
"Yes; you live in the same house with me."
"Exactly. You lured this boy to your room, and, after robbing him, locked him in. I released him."
"Was this the story he told you?"
"Yes."
"All I can say is, that if he got into my room it was for the purpose of robbery."
Gerald was about to make an indignant denial, when the officer said: "You'll have to go with me, Mr. Brandon Turner, or whatever your name is. I am not running a police court. You can defend yourself in the court-room."