"Sorry, but you can't have me. I'm already engaged," said Henry deliberately.
The retort seemed to carry Selby entirely beyond his own control.
"You're very clever at making speeches, aren't you? Almost as clever as you are at throwing people, and breaking their backs--"
But Dr. Underwood again interposed and this time successfully.
"All this is aside from the question. We are not here to study ancient history in any of its forms. This committee was invited here to consider the robbery of Mr. Selby, and anything else is beside the mark."
"And my watch-chain? Is that beside the mark? Found concealed here under your hearth. Does that mean nothing?"
The doctor looked so unhappy that Burton took the answer upon himself.
"It means exactly as much and as little as the handkerchief," he said. "It means that the place has been 'salted' in expectation of your visit, and if you want to go into the investigating business to some effect, you'll set yourselves to finding out who did it."
"Never mind going into that," said Underwood a little anxiously. "These gentlemen were invited here to investigate me, and here my interest in the matter ends. If they are satisfied--"
"But we are not," interrupted Selby. "Satisfied! I'm satisfied that we've got evidence enough to hang a man on, and I shall demand the arrest of Dr. Underwood."