“That was pure chance. If the others had been there, I should have done just the same.”

“Still, as it happens, the others were not there?”

“No, but⁠—”

“In fact, during the whole afternoon, you were only alone for a couple of minutes, and it happened⁠—I say, it happened⁠—to be during those two minutes that you displayed your ‘natural interest’ in Hydrochloride of Strychnine?”

Lawrence stammered pitiably.

“I⁠—I⁠—”

With a satisfied and expressive countenance, Sir Ernest observed:

“I have nothing more to ask you, Mr. Cavendish.”