room, the servant Elsie Wood had heard him quarrelling with his
brother in the room, the door had been locked from the inside,
and there were signs that outside the open window some one had
pushed his way very recently through the shrubbery. Who, if not
Mark? They would have then to consider whether he would have run
away if he had been guiltless of his brother's death. No doubt
innocent people lost their heads sometimes. It was possible that
if it were proved afterwards that Mark Ablett had shot his
brother, it might also be proved that he was justified in so
doing, and that when he ran away from his brother's corpse he had
really nothing to fear at the hands of the Law. In this
connection he need hardly remind the jury that they were not the
final tribunal, and that if they found Mark Ablett guilty of
murder it would not prejudice his trial in any way if and when he
was apprehended .... The jury could consider their verdict.

They considered it. They announced that the deceased had died as
the result of a bullet-wound, and that the bullet had been fired
by his brother Mark Ablett.

Bill turned round to Antony at his side. But Antony was gone.
Across the room he saw Andrew Amos and Parsons going out of the
door together, and Antony was between them.




CHAPTER XX

Mr. Beverley is Tactful