'I did what I could.

Had the door given way, all would have been well.' He looked at me darkly.

'That is fine talking!' he said with a sneer.
Then he dropped his eyes and seemed for a time to fall into a brown study, while I stood before him, confounded by this new view of the case, furious, yet not knowing how to vent my fury, cut to the heart by his insults, yet without hope or prospect of redress.
'Come' he said harshly, after two or three minutes of gloomy reflection on his part and burning humiliation on mine, 'is there anyone here who can identify you, or in any other way confirm your story, sir?
Until I know how the matter stands I can do nothing.' I shook my head in sullen shame.

I might protest against his brutality and this judgment of me, but to what purpose while he sheltered himself behind his master?
'Stay!' he said presently, with an abrupt gesture of remembrance.

'I had nearly forgotten.