“I am, but I know exactly what I say and what I mean.”
“Why did you come here? You had a purpose in coming here.”
“I did.”
“What is your purpose?”
“Merely to tell you under all circumstances to hold fast your faith in Alfred Burlein.”
“I wish you would tell me who you are, and your special interest in the young man?”
“Some day you will know who I am. He was my friend, I am his friend, and I tell you he is innocent. I tell you further his partner is a villain.”
“What object could he have in defaming the missing man?”
“Can you not discern?”
“I cannot.”