"Officer, I have nothing to hide! I'll tell the circumstances precisely as they occurred," Ward repeated.
"No he won't!" protested Collins. "Let me speak! I'm willing to swear to everything I say."
It was almost ludicrous to behold the utter demoralization into which Luckstone's clients were thrown. Britz had brought them out of their coverts and forced them into the open—and instantly they started fighting among themselves.
Luckstone made one ineffectual effort to re-unite them in solid rank against the attacking police enemy, then he also surrendered.
"Let Beard talk!" he exclaimed. "He may be able to save himself from an awful predicament."
"Sit down, gentlemen!" Britz said, as he motioned them to their seats. "I'll hear what Mr. Beard has to say."
CHAPTER XXIV
Beard began to speak, but the tremor of overmastering excitement in his voice, made his words indistinct, incomprehensible. Not until he had proceeded for several minutes did he regain control of his voice, and then he had to repeat what in his agitation he had but half-uttered.
"I met Mr. Whitmore when he left the train at Philadelphia after the substitution of prisoners had been achieved," Beard said. "We proceeded to New York, arriving here about three in the afternoon. I knew that Ward and Mrs. Collins were extremely anxious to see Mr. Whitmore, and he likewise was aware of it. So I telephoned Mrs. Collins and her brother to come to my home.