"Yes, I think he spoke of it, but I really wasn't interested because you see I am so sure John North is innocent!" He caught one of her hands in his and drew her down on the arm of his chair where he could look into her eyes. "There is just one question I want to ask you, Evelyn, but I expect you'll answer it as you choose," he said, with his face close to hers. "Then why ask it?" she said. "Why,--because I want to know. Where were you on the day of the murder,--between five and six o'clock?" "I _wish_ you'd let me go, Marsh; you're hurting me--" she complained. She struggled for a moment to release herself from his grasp, then realizing that her effort was of no avail, she quietly resumed her former position on the arm of his chair. "You must answer my question, come--where were you?" Langham commanded. He brought his face close to hers and she saw that his eyes burnt with an unhealthy light. "How silly of you, Marsh, you know it was Thanksgiving day,--that we dined with your father." "I am not asking you about that,--that was later!" "I suppose I was on my way there at the hour you mention." "No, you weren't; you were in North's rooms!" "If you were not drunk, I should be angry with you, Marsh,--you are insulting--" He quitted his hold on her and staggered to his feet. "You were with North--" he roared. "Do you want the servants to hear you?" she asked in an angry whisper. "Hell!" He made a step toward her, his hand raised. "Don't do that, Marsh. I should never forgive you!" Evelyn faced him, meeting his wild glance with unshaken composure. The clenched hand fell at his side. "My God, I ought to kill you!" he muttered. She made him no answer, but kept her eyes fixed steadily on his face. "You _were_ with North!" Langham repeated. "Well, since you wish me to say it, I was with John North, but what of that?" "In his rooms--" he jerked out. "No,--now you are asking too much of me!" "I have proof,--proof, that you went to his rooms that day!" he stormed. "I did nothing of the sort, and I am not going to quarrel with you while you are drunk!" Drunk he was, but not as she understood drunkenness. In the terrible extremity to which his crime had brought him he was having recourse to drugs. "You say you have proof,--don't be absurd, Marsh, you know you haven't!" she added uneasily. "You were with North in his rooms--" he insisted. He was conscious of a strange wonder at himself that he could believe this, and yet aside from such gusts of rage as these, his doubt of her made no difference in their life together. Surely this was the measure of his degradation. "I am not going to discuss this matter with you!" Evelyn said. "Aren't you? Well, I guess you will. Do you know you may be summoned into court?" "Why?" she demanded, with a nervous start.