"I don't know. I clutched him by the throat and we struggled. Then he got away and probably wrenched the opal ornament from my watch chain. I missed it the next day, and surmised that I had lost it in the wrestling match. After the man fled I went to the house and peered into the study through the window. I saw Leigh lying apparently dead on the floor, and was seized with fright, lest I should be accused of killing him. I saw my position in a moment, as you may guess." "You should have given the alarm," said Carrington, quietly. "Oh, should I?" sneered the other. "You would have done so under the same circumstances, wouldn't you?" "Perhaps," returned the barrister ambiguously. "I quite see that you were in a very awkward position." "Of course I was. If the fact of the will came to light, I might have been accused of killing Leigh to get it." "Which you did," insisted Carrington, "in spite of this cock-and-bull story." "Hang you!" shouted Mallien fiercely, and clenching his fists. "I tell you I did not. Things happened as I say, and I ran back to my cottage determined to hold my tongue, and let things take their course. That is why I have made no move about the will. The man I struggled with in the avenue was the criminal, and got my opal." "How then did Hendle and I find the opal near the sundial?" "I don't know," returned Mallien moodily. "If you tell the police, I can only repeat the story I am repeating now." "I don't want to tell the police," said Carrington mildly. "My terms----" "I know all about your infernal terms, just as I know that I am in a fix. I am innocent, but it is difficult for me to defend myself against the circumstantial evidence." "Then agree to my terms, and I'll hold my tongue." "What's the use? Rupert knows as much as you do." "Hendle won't speak because of your daughter." "That is true," Mallien hesitated; then burst out, "you must give me time to make up my mind." "I'll give you a week," said Carrington readily, for he did not wish to press the man too hardly. "But no hanky-panky, remember. I hold you in the hollow of my hand." "If I had murdered Leigh," said Mallien, deliberately, "I should murder you, in the hope of saving myself. As it is, I shall take a week to consider your terms!" and the man, with a snarl, went out abruptly. CHAPTER XVI A NEW WITNESS