An argument arose.

I seized from his table an Indian dagger that was lying there--I stabbed him just above the heart!" In that room in Scotland Yard a tense silence fell.

For the first time we were all conscious of a tiny clock on the inspector's desk, for it ticked now with a loudness sudden and startling.

I gazed at the faces about me.

Bray's showed a momentary surprise--then the mask fell again.
Lieutenant Fraser-Freer was plainly amazed.