s. "Only stiffness of
the legs. I don't want to ask any questions. I believe what you have
told us. I don't believe it simply because I always liked your face, or
because it saves awkwardness, which are the most usual reasons for
believing a person, but because my vanity will have it that no man could
lie to me steadily for an hour without my perceiving it. Your story is
an extraordinary one; but Manderson was an extraordinary man, and so are
you. You acted like a lunatic in doing what you did; but I quite agree
with you that if you had acted like a sane man you wouldn't have had the
hundredth part of a dog's chance with a judge and jury. One thing is
beyond dispute on any reading of the affair: you are a man of courage."

The color rushed into Marlowe's face, and he hesitated for words. Before
he could speak Mr. Cupples arose with a dry cough.

"For my part," he said, "I never supposed you guilty for a moment."
Marlowe turned to him in grateful amazement, Trent with an incredulous
stare. "But," pursued Mr. Cupples, holding up his hand, "there is one
question which I should like to put."

Marlowe bowed, saying nothing.

"Suppose," said Mr. Cupples, "that someone else had been suspected of
the crime and put upon trial. What would you have done?"

"I think my duty was clear. I should have gone with my story to the
lawyers for the defense, and put myself in their hands."

Trent laughed aloud. Now that the thing was over his spirits were
rapidly becoming ungovernable. "I can see their faces!" he said. "As a
matter of fact, though, nobody else was ever in danger. There wasn't a
shred of evidence against any one. I looked up Murch at the Yard this
morning, and he told me he had come round to Bunner's view, that it was
a case of revenge on the part of some American black-hand gang. So
there's the end of the Manderson case. Holy, suffering Moses! _What_ an
ass a man can make of himself when he thinks he's being preternaturally
clever!" He seized the bulky envelop from the table, and stuffed it into
the heart of the fire. "There's for you, old friend! For want of you the
world's course will not fail. But look here! It's getting late--nearly
seven, and Cupples and I have an appointment at half-past. We must go.
Mr. Marlowe, good-by." He looked into the other's eyes. "I am a man who
has worked hard to put a rope round your neck. Considering the
circumstances I don't know whether you will blame me. Will you shake
hands?"