The former district attorney started slightly.

Then, coming still closer, he peered into the tense, angry features of Barry Houston.
"A bit melodramatic, aren't you ?" he asked in a sneering tone.
"Perhaps so.

But then murder is always melodramatic." "Murder?
You don't intend--" "No.

I simply referred to the past.

I should have said 'reference to murder.' I hope you will pardon me if any inelegance of language should offend you." "Sarcastic, aren't you ?" "I have a right to be.