CHAPTER II.THE WITNESS MAKES CONDITIONS.
James Stone assumed a belligerent attitude.
“What do you mean by saying I’m not accountable?” he blustered. “You think I’m crazy?”
“I wouldn’t use quite such a harsh word,” was the reply. “But I’ve been watching you for some time, and I’m certain that your mind is slightly affected. This grouch of yours against Mr. Crawford is entirely uncalled-for, and everybody knows it but you. He’s the best friend you have in the world, and would do anything and everything for you. Until lately you’ve been the same toward him, and there’s nothing that could have caused such a breach. Mr. Crawford wouldn’t harm a hair of your head, and you wouldn’t think of harming him if you were yourself.”
“Rot!” exclaimed Stone. “You don’t know anything about it, Floyd, an
