fellows a chance at it--men who don't know anything about me. Set
them talking and looking about. I don't care a damn whether
_you_ believe me--what I want is to convince the Grand Jury! I
oughtn't to have come to a man who knows me--your cursed incredulity
is infectious. I don't put my case well, because I know in advance
it's discredited, and I almost end by not believing it myself.
That's why I can't convince _you_. It's a vicious circle." He laid a
hand on Denver's arm. "Send a stenographer, and put my statement in
the paper."

But Denver did not warm to the idea. "My dear fellow, you seem to
forget that all the evidence was pretty thoroughly sifted at the
time, every possible clue followed up. The public would have been
ready enough then to believe that you murdered old Lenman--you or
anybody else. All they wanted was a murderer--the most improbable
would have served. But your alibi was too confoundedly complete. And
nothing you've told me has shaken it." Denver laid his cool hand
over the other's burning fingers. "Look here, old fellow, go home
and work up a better case--then come in and submit it to the
_Investigator_."






IV