"Oh no," I replied, and I shook my head and smiled at so strange a mistake.
"Ah!" echoed Cornelius in the same tone, "you did not—who did, then?"
"I do not know, Cornelius, how should I?"
"How should you? Was it not proved awhile back only two persons could have done it, you or I, and since it so chances that I am not the person, does it not follow that you are?"
I looked at him incredulously: it seemed to me that I had but to deny to be acquitted. I fancied he had not understood me.
"Cornelius," I objected, "did you not hear me say it was not I?"
"I heard you—what about it?"
"Why that it cannot be me."
"Who else?"
"I do not know."