[Dark Saint Alaick]

Both Gibbons and Ruttle were red with anger.
"If you dare say that again," the latter exclaimed threateningly, "I will knock your head off."
"No need to say it again," Henshaw retorted. "The police are as capable of putting two and two together as most people. You cannot deny you used those words, or words to that effect."
"You devil!" Ruttle cried, taking a step towards him, his fist raised. Sandra was watching her husband, yet there was no sign of what she was thinking. She knew he was no coward but he was no match for Big Bill if it came to fighting. The intervention came, however, from an unexpected quarter. Old "Jeremiah" Dayton moved between them, his hands aloft in protest.
"Nothing will be gained by our quarrelling among ourselves," he said. "It is possible you are all right and yet all wrong. Certain words were used that might have had a meaning quite different to what Captain Henshaw supposed. Ruttle and Gibbons may have misconstrued certain attentions paid by our poor friend Ewen to one of his guests. I suggest the explanation of the terrible crimes may lie in quite a different quarter."
"And what might that be?" Gibbons sneered.