"I should like to know your reason," said Gilbert, struck by his uncle's significant manner.
"Then I will tell you. It is not in your possession, because it is in mine!"
"What do you mean, sir?" asked Gilbert, somewhat startled.
"Just what I say. I have obtained possession of the paper which you so artfully concocted, and pretended to be the dying statement of Jacob Morton."
"What, did Mr. Ferguson give it to you?" asked Gilbert, amazed.
"Mr. Ferguson? What had he to do with it?"
"It is in his safe. I deposited it there, the morning after my interview with you."
"That is a lie!" exclaimed Mr. Grey, in excitement. "You placed it in your trunk."
"Oh!" said Gilbert, as light dawned upon him, "I understand you, now. Before carrying it to Mr. Ferguson, I made a copy for reference, thinking, also, that you might want to look at it again. That copy I left in my trunk; but the original is in Mr. Ferguson's safe."
"I don't believe you," said James Grey, furiously.