"Cast your thoughts back twelve years," interrupted Mr. Cass, sharply, "and then perhaps you will understand why----" "What do you mean?" asked his brother-in-law, a thrill running through him. He saw now that this was going to be serious for him. "Do you remember the night when you came in at yonder window, muddy and ragged?" Mr. Cass said, slowly. "When you told me a lie--that you had been attacked by footpads and----" "It was no lie!" cried the man, moistening his dry lips. "I told you what had actually happened." "Oh, no, you didn't. For instance, you never told me that you had seen Jenner." He uttered a faint cry, and flung himself back in his chair with a startled look. "I did not see Jenner!" he said. "Nor did you tell me that you had been at the Turnpike House," continued Mr. Cass, not noticing the interruption. "That I deny. I was not near the Turnpike House." With a look of scorn Mr. Cass picked up an object which was lying on the table, and held it out. "Do you know what this is?" "A piece of gold, so far as I can see. What is that to me?" "Evidence that you were at the Turnpike House on that night." "I tell you I was not there!" he cried, desperately. "Oh, don't trouble yourself to tell lies," Mr. Cass said, wearily. "They will avail you nothing in the end. Since you do not choose to recognise this object, let me tell you that it is a part of the set of links I gave you shortly before that murder." "Links--I--I--only wore them--once." "I know you did, and on that night. You lost one pair and left the other in your bedroom, where they were found by the housemaid and returned to me. You would have been better advised had you destroyed them, Marshall." "Why should I have destroyed them? I lost one pair, it is true. The catch between the ovals was worn, and the links broke." "Not of their own accord," Mr. Cass said, quickly. "Your cuff caught on a nail when you put your arm through the window to kill Jenner." Marshall uttered a loud cry and started to his feet his face crimson with rage, and shaking with what looked very much like terror. "I deny that," he cried. "I deny that I was at the Turnpike House--that I killed----" "This link was found under the window," interrupted Mr. Cass. "The man who wore it was the man who killed Jenner; you are the man!" "I kill Jenner? It is a lie!" Marshall continued to stare at the piece of gold which his brother-in-law continued to hold up as though he were fascinated. He drew his hand across his brow as he uttered his denial in a weak voice, and seemed to be trying to recall something. "Why should I have killed him?" he asked. It was now Heron's turn. He drew from his pocket the bill of exchange. "Perhaps this will supply the motive," he said, coldly; "this forgery, discounted by Julian Roper."