"It might, sir, as you observe, be difficult to prove a decided _alibi_.

But"-- he rose and bent to Mr.
Verner, with a bright smile, a clear, truthful eye--"I do not think you need one to believe me." "No, Lionel, I do not.

Is John Massingbird in the dining-room ?" "He was when I left it." "Then go and send him to me." John Massingbird was found and despatched to Mr.Verner, without any reluctance on his own part.

He had been bestowing hard words upon Lionel for "taking up the time of the old man" just on the evening when he wanted to take it up himself.

The truth was, John Massingbird was intending to depart the following morning, the Fates and Mr.Verner permitting him.
Their interview was a long one.