ould have thought capable of such a thing; but all the facts are
against you. Need I go over them? Let me tell you that if ever a jury
knows what Scotland Yard knows and you stand in the dock, no earthly
power can save you. If that crime is on your conscience it seems to rest
lightly enough."

Grell stood up and rested one hand lightly on the sleeve of his
companion. "Fairfield, old chap," he said earnestly, "we have been
through enough together to prove to you that I am not a coward. I swear
on my honour that I had nothing to do with that man's death--though I
have had reason enough to wish him dead, God knows. Do you think it is
fear for myself that has driven me into hiding?"

Fairfield shook his head impatiently, and shaking himself clear paced
quickly up and down the room. "That's all very well, Grell," he said
more mildly, "but it is hardly convincing in the face of facts. You
disappear immediately after the murder, having got me to lie to cover
your retreat, and the next I hear from you is when you want money. It's
too thin. If I were you I should go now. For the sake of old times I
will say nothing about your visit here, but to help you by any other
means--no. If you had no hand in that murder, come out like a man and
make a fight for it. I will back you up."

"Thanks." There was a dry bitterness in Grell's tone that did not escape
Sir Ralph. "I couldn't have got better advice if I'd gone to Scotland
Yard itself." His voice changed to a certain quality of harshness. "Look
here, Fairfield. Suppose I do know something about this business;
suppose I know who Harry Goldenburg was, and how and why he was killed;
suppose I had stayed while inquiries were being made, then I should
either have to have betrayed a friend or taken the burden on my own
shoulders; suppose I say I was honest that night when I asked you to
conceal my absence from the St. Jermyn's Club; that I did nothing which
I would not do over again"--he banged his fist on the table and his eyes
glowed fiercely--"I tell you I have had no choice in this matter. Even
you, who know me as well as any man, do not know what I had been
through until that man lay dead. Since then I have suffered hell. The
police have been at my heels ever since. I carried little enough money
away with me, and I dared not attempt to change a cheque while I was
thought to be dead." He drew a gold watch from his pocket. "I dare not
even pawn this, for even the pawnbrokers are watche