"Oh, I am ready to go into business as soon as you like," retorted the barrister, still triumphant. "But why is Dr. Tollart here?"
"I am here," said Tollart gruffly, "to state to your face that you were in Barship on the night when Leigh was murdered."
Carrington started, and, in spite of his self-command, winced at the plain speech. His swarthy face grew slightly pale, but he still maintained his air of bravado. "Well, then, I am not here to talk about Leigh's murder," he said viciously, "but to see about this transfer of the Hendle estates to my friend Mr. Mallien."
"Don't call me your friend," growled Mallien, ferociously. "You are no friend of mine. All you want is to get money out of me."
"Take care," said Carrington, glancing at the others, "remember what I know."
"And what do you know?" demanded Mallien coolly.
"Something you would not like anyone else to hear."
"You can say what you like, and before anyone you like."
"Ah!" Carrington now began to see that things were not so safe as he had imagined. "You mean to go back on your bargain?"
"I never made any bargain, you beast. And what is more, I don't intend to make any. Yonder is Dr. Tollart, who can swear that you came down to Barship on the night Leigh was murdered; and yonder is Titus Ark, who saw you enter the Vicarage grounds."
"They are both liars," cried Carrington, taken off his guard.
"I bain't a liar," said Ark, rising, and tottered toward the barrister, "and wor I a younger man I'd make 'ee pay for saying so." He shook a gnarled fist in Carrington's face. "I did see 'ee round about the Vicarage. I swear to it, if needs be, before judge and jury. I bain't afeared."
"And you _will_ be required to swear before a judge and jury," said Hendle, in a cold, measured tone, "when Carrington is in the dock."
"In the dock!" Carrington stepped back, trying to command his nerves, for he now began to understand the full extent of his peril. "And on what charge?"
"You killed Leigh," growled Mallien savagely. "Yes, you did, so don't deny it, you criminal. And you dare to accuse me."
"I do accuse you," said Carrington, driven to bay, and becoming fierce out of sheer desperation. "It was you who killed Leigh to get that will. I accuse you in the presence of these witnesses."
