"Manuel objected to that being done, on account of the Peruvian Government, so by Grent's directions, I went round to several suburban banks and so explained the matter that I got all the notes changed without difficulty. I gave them all back to Grent, who kept them at Wray House; then, on the Friday before he intended to start for Italy, he brought them up here and gave them to Vass to put in the safe. That is all I know." "And quite sufficient," said Torry wrathfully. "Why did you not tell us all this before?" "For two reasons. One was that Grent asked me to hold my tongue; the other because I was afraid lest you should accuse me of being concerned in this murder, as you have done," finished Leighbourne, with a scowl. "Well, well," said Torry good-humouredly, "you have defended yourself very well against the implied accusation." "Implied accusation!" echoed Frederick, with scorn. "My very words," retorted Torry drily. "I did not accuse you of being an accessory to the crime or the criminal himself. I did not even ask you if you had stolen the notes. I merely asked how it came about that you changed them." "Well, now you know," said Leighbourne insolently; "and as I have explained myself, perhaps you and your friend will take yourself off." Deeming this rude speech unworthy of reply, Darrel left the room without taking leave of the banker, but Torry halted at the door to fire a parting shot. "Young man," said he, wagging an admonitory forefinger at Leighbourne, "pride goes before a fall; remember that," and leaving the young man to digest this unpalatable proverb at his leisure, Torry followed the novelist. "What are you going to do?" asked the latter, when they were in the street. "I am going to see Captain Manuel, and see if he really countenanced the changing of the bank-notes," replied Torry; "and you?" "I intend to go at once to Wray House and see Miss Sandoval." "You wish to find out what she knows?" "Yes. I'll try and persuade her to tell me the truth." "You'll be a clever man if you do that, sir. Well, good-bye and good luck," and Torry turned away. "I say!" he called out. "Yes," said Darrel, with his foot on the step of a hansom. The detective retraced his steps, and spoke in a low tone. "I am convinced of one thing," he said hastily. "Grent had those notes changed so that he could bolt with them. I don't believe Manuel asked him to change them. "Leighbourne says he did." "Yes, because Grent told him to say so. That good man deceived both Manuel and Leighbourne. He had the notes on him when he was murdered." "Oh," sighed Darrel, with a groan, "how you hold to that theory!" "Because it is a true one," said Torry sharply, "and sooner or later I am sure we shall be able to prove it is a fact. Good-bye."