Whether it was the one he had first had in mind, I cannot say.
"Mr.Ranelagh, will you tell me why, when you found yourself in such a dire extremity as to be arrested for this crime, on evidence as startling as to call for all and every possible testimony to your innocence, you preserved silence in regard to a fact which you must have then felt would have secured you a most invaluable witness?
I can understand why Mr.
Cumberland has been loth to speak of his younger sister's presence in the club-house on that night; but his reason was not your reason.

Yet you have been as hard to move on this point as he." Then it was I regretted my thoughtless promise to be candid with this man.

To answer were impossible, yet silence has its confidences, too.

In my dilemma, I turned towards him and just then we stepped within the glare of an electric light pouring from some open doorway.

I caught his eye, and was astonished at the change which took place in him.
"Don't answer," he muttered, volubly.