"
Lord Barminster rose from his seat at the sound of his son's voice, and
put his hand on Adrien's shoulder; then, as if half ashamed of his
pardonable emotion, he turned to the inspector.
"You hear, sir, Mr. Leroy knows nothing of the matter."
"That, my lord," returned the inspector respectfully, "would not justify
me in leaving here without him. I fear he must accompany me; my
instructions under the warrant are too strict. Mere denial is, of
course, a common matter, and a usual one--begging your pardon, my
lord"--for the old man had started indignantly.
"I should suggest, my lord," continued the inspector hurriedly, "that an
alibi would be of the most service. I do not say for one moment that Mr.
Leroy did commit the forgery; but, of course, he will be able to prove
where he was on the twenty-second of last month, at three o'clock."
Shelton's face brightened. He wheeled round on his friend.
"Adrien," he exclaimed, "tell us where you were on that day; not to
satisfy me, you know that, but to get this folly over."
Leroy gazed sadly at him, but remained silent; and Shelton grew hot, and
then white with irritation, at this inexplicable silence.
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