'Your name, I think, is Michael Rust?'
'That is my name,' replied Rust, bowing stiffly.
'And you accuse Mr. Harson of having endeavored to injure your character?'
'I do,' replied Rust.
'Perhaps your memory may lead you astray, and his remarks and allusions may refer to another than yourself.'
Michael Rust turned from him with a contemptuous smile; and then tapping the letter with his finger, said: 'Ink never forgets. Henry Harson and his friend may both vary their story, but this is always the same, and the slanders once uttered against me here, are here still unchanged and unsoftened.'
'Against you?' repeated Holmes. 'Read it again. You are not even mentioned in it.'
Rust glanced at it; and the lawyer thought that for a moment he observed a change in his features. If so, it was but momentary; for he answered in the same low tone, though perhaps with even more of a sneer:
'It was a trap, was it? Pah! a child could see through it! It alludes to one Henry Colton. The charges are made against him. I'll save you the trouble of farther manœuvering to obtain information on that point, by informing you that Henry Colton and Michael Rust are one. I'll inform you too that you knew it before you came here. If you wish it, I'll give you the same admission in writing.'
'I accept your offer,' said Holmes, quietly. 'There's paper,' said he, pointing to the table; 'write it on that.'