There was a long silence between the two men. Granice, with a throbbing heart, watched Denver refill his pipe. The editor, at any rate, did not sneer and flout him. After all, journalism gave a deeper insight than the law into the fantastic possibilities of life, prepared one better to allow for the incalculableness of human impulses. “Well?” Granice faltered out. Denver stood up with a shrug. “Look here, man--what’s wrong with you? Make a clean breast of it! Nerves gone to smash? I’d like to take you to see a chap I know--an ex-prize-fighter--who’s a wonder at pulling fellows in your state out of their hole--” “Oh, oh--” Granice broke in. He stood up also, and the two men eyed each other. “You don’t believe me, then?” “This yarn--how can I? There wasn’t a flaw in your alibi.” “But haven’t I filled it full of them now?” Denver shook his head. “I might think so if I hadn’t happened to know that you WANTED to. There’s the hitch, don’t you see?” Granice groaned. “No, I didn’t. You mean my wanting to be found guilty--?” “Of course! If somebody else had accused you, the story might have been worth looking into. As it is, a child could have invented it. It doesn’t do much credit to your ingenuity.” Granice turned sullenly toward the door. What was the use of arguing? But on the threshold a sudden impulse drew him back. “Look here, Denver--I daresay you’re right. But will you do just one thing to prove it? Put my statement in the Investigator, just as I’ve made it. Ridicule it as much as you like. Only give the other fellows a chance at it--men who don’t know anything about me. Set them talking and looking about. I don’t care a damn whether YOU believe me--what I want is to convince the Grand Jury! I oughtn’t to have come to a man who knows me--your cursed incredulity is infectious. I don’t put my case well, because I know in advance it’s discredited, and I almost end by not believing it myself. That’s why I can’t convince YOU. It’s a vicious circle.” He laid a hand on Denver’s arm. “Send a stenographer, and put my statement in the paper.” But Denver did not warm to the idea. “My dear fellow, you seem to forget that all the evidence was pretty thoroughly sifted at the time, every possible clue followed up. The public would have been ready enough then to believe that you murdered old Lenman--you or anybody else. All they wanted was a murderer--the most improbable would have served. But your alibi was too confoundedly complete. And nothing you’ve told me has shaken it.” Denver laid his cool hand over the other’s burning fingers. “Look here, old fellow, go home and work up a better case--then come in and submit it to the Investigator.” IV The perspiration was rolling off Granice’s forehead. Every few minutes he had to draw out his handkerchief and wipe the moisture from his haggard face.