"Oh, in that case, I'll go straight out and tell the police." "Will you, indeed?" said Adrian with a grim smile, stroking his long grey beard. "And what about your warrant for my arrest?--you can't do it on suspicion." "Now don't you try any larks on me," said Dentham in a bullying tone, "because I'm the only person who can help you out of this mess, and I won't unless you're civil." "Oh, yes you will--for money," retorted his master coolly, "besides, I want first to be assured of the truth of your story." Dentham was quite exasperated by the quiet tone in which the doctor spoke. He had expected to find a terrified man, who would give any sum to be placed in safety, instead of which, the proposed victim talked as calmly and sedately as if no terrible charge of murder was hanging over him. "If what I've told you don't convince you, nothing will," he said sarcastically. "Ain't I said all your being asked to Marlow was a blind? I found out Mr. Lancaster had been with you on that night by means of the stick." "Which you denied having seen," interpolated Adrian quietly. "That's my business; you said it was your stick--which was a lie. Well, I answered Miss Maunders' advertisement and told her all I knew." "In other words, you betrayed me." "You can call it what you like, but I had to look after Number One, and she paid me well for what I told her." "So now, having betrayed me and getting paid, you are going to betray her in the hope of a similar reward?" "I always make hay while the sun shines," retorted Dentham with an ugly smile, for he did not like his villainies to be put before him so plainly. "Whatever I did is none of your business, all I know is, this Miss Maunders and Mr. Rudall came to your house this morning, found Mr. Lancaster's body where you hid it and called in the police; if I hadn't sent that telegram to Marlow, you'd have gone back home and been arrested, but I saved you." "For your own ends," said Adrian with a dreary laugh. "Good heavens, what scoundrels there are in this world! So you think I killed Adrian Lancaster?" "I'm sure of it," replied Dentham promptly. "I saw it myself." "And where is it now?" demanded Adrian, leaning back in his chair. "At Number Forty Beryle Square. Miss Maunders had it taken there with permission of the police this afternoon." "So there is a warrant out against me?" "Yes; on a charge of murdering Mr. Lancaster." "And if I give you a cheque for two hundred pounds you will help me to escape?" "I'll do my best," replied Dentham evasively. "Do you know you are compounding a felony?" said Adrian, rising. "Whatever I'm doing, it's better than being a murderer; but I've not got any more time to talk, you know my offer and you can do what you like." "I must have time to think over it," said Adrian calmly. "You can go away and leave me for a time." "Don't you try to escape," cried Dentham, moving towards the door, "'cause you won't I'll keep a watch outside."