A violent tremor racked his frame.
"Where'd you get them ?" he asked helplessly.
"In your house," answered the detective.

"I searched the premises this afternoon." Collins looked appealingly from the detective to his friends.

They had listened to Britz's recital with impassive countenances, and their expressions did not change as they met Collins's gaze.
"What right had you to search my house ?" demanded Collins.

"I'm not accused of any crime." "Not yet," agreed Britz.

"But the circumstances which I have mentioned may make it necessary for a formal accusation to be lodged against you." Again Collins displayed remarkable recuperative power.