"You are better acquainted with the game in this criminal aquarium than I am," retorted Britz.
"Well, if you are through with Mr. Collins, I should like a few minutes of private conversation with him," said the lawyer.
"I shall refrain from arresting Mr. Collins only on condition that he remain in custody of one of my men. He may go where he chooses, but only in the company of a detective."
"And if he refuse your condition?"
"Then I shall be compelled to arrest him."
"And multiply the blunders which you have made in this case!" Luckstone smiled sarcastically.
"I am responsible for the conduct of this investigation," snapped Britz. "And let me tell you, Mr. Luckstone, you may think your crafty brain has succeeded in outwitting the police, but it hasn't. From the outset I recognized your handiwork in guiding the various persons concerned in this murder case. You were Whitmore's lawyer! You're Beard's attorney, you're Mrs. Collins's counsel, you represent Collins, and probably Ward also."
"Mr. Ward is my client," acknowledged the lawyer.
"You have fortified them all behind a wall of silence," pursued Britz in even voice. "But the moment I give the signal, the wall will crumble and your clients will simply fall over one another in their desire to talk."
"I shall be interested to see the wizard's wand with which you're going to achieve so much!" Luckstone sneered.