‘That’s what I’ve come to ask you,’ he retorted. ‘What were you and he doing at the boathouse on that Wednesday night?’ ‘My dear fellow,’ Austin answered—he was evidently shaken, but still spoke with a certain dignity—‘you forget yourself. You have no right to ask me such a question.’ ‘Then I withdraw it and ask you another. You told me, I think, that the Sunday evening when you dined at Luce Manor was the last occasion on which you saw Sir William alive?’ ‘Certainly.’ ‘And you repeat that now?’ ‘Why, of course I do.’ Daunt leant forward and spoke impressively. ‘Then how do you explain your having lunched with him on the next day at the Étoile in Soho?’ Again Austin started. Daunt was sure that the shot had told. But the other only said: ‘It seems to me you have mistaken the side you’re on. Are you taking prosecuting counsel’s place?’ ‘Good Lord, Ponson, don’t play with words,’ cried the solicitor angrily. ‘It’s far too serious. If I’m to act for you, I must have an explanation of these things. Why have you denied being there when you were?’ ‘Who says I was?’ ‘Everyone concerned. The manager, two waiters, the porter—all agree. There’s no mistake. I saw them myself. Tanner knows all about your lunch there with Sir William and Cosgrove, and about Sir William’s visit afterwards to Douglas.’ Austin was pale, and a look of positive dread showed for a moment in his eyes. But he preserved his calmness and only replied: ‘They were mistaken. I was not there.’ Daunt dropped his detached air, and spoke with all the earnestness at his command. ‘Look here, Ponson,’ he said. ‘What the truth in this wretched business is I don’t know, but I do know that for you to go on like this means a certain verdict of “Guilty”. That’s as sure as you’re sitting there. If you don’t care about yourself, for God’s sake think of that girl that’s giving up her all for you. You must tell her the truth—in common honour you must tell her. Your actions must look suspicious to her as well as others. If you can explain them, for Heaven’s sake do so, and if not, don’t let her commit herself too far to get out.’ Austin slowly raised his head and smiled unhappily. ‘You’re a good fellow, Daunt,’ he said. ‘God knows I’m ten times more anxious for Lois than for myself. But all I can tell you is to repeat what I have already said; I was not there. There must be some ghastly mistake.’ Daunt felt his anger rising. ‘It’s a mistake that will cost you your life if you don’t rectify it,’ he answered sharply. ‘If you can’t be open with me I must give up the case.’ ‘Then you don’t believe me?’ ‘Believe you? How can I believe you? I show your photograph to four separate men at that café and all identify you without hesitation. But see here’—he spoke as if a new idea had occurred to him—‘the thing can be easily settled. If you weren’t at the café with Sir William where were you? Tell me that?’ ‘I lunched that day at the Savoy.’ ‘For three hours?’