"The police," she went on,
"do not yet know that the letter of introduction you brought to
the captain was signed by a man who addressed Fraser-Freer as
Dear Cousin, but who is completely unknown to the family. Once
that information reaches Scotland Yard, your chance of escaping
arrest is slim.
"They may not be able to fasten this crime upon you, but there will
be complications most distasteful. One's liberty is well worth
keeping--and then, too, before the case ends, there will be wide
publicity--"
"'Well?" said I.
"That is why you are going to suffer a lapse of memory in the
matter of the hour at which you heard that struggle. As you think
it over, it is going to occur to you that it may have been
six-thirty, not seven. Otherwise--"
"Go on."
"Otherwise the letter of introduction you gave to the captain will
be sent anonymously to Inspector Bray."
"You have that letter!" I cried.
"Not I," she answered. "But it will be sent to Bray. It will be
pointed out to him that you were posing under false colors. You
could not escape!"
I was most uncomfortable. The net of suspicion seemed closing in
about me. But I was resentful, too, of the confidence in this
woman's voice.
"None the less," said I, "I refuse to change my testimony. The
truth is the truth--"
The woman had moved to the door.
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