is impossible,
after what has happened, to submit to that silence any longer.
She must be persuaded to tell us, or she must be forced to tell us,
on what grounds she bases her belief that you took the Moonstone.
The chances are, that the whole of this case, serious as it seems now,
will tumble to pieces, if we can only break through Rachel's inveterate
reserve, and prevail upon her to speak out."

"That is a very comforting opinion for ME," I said.  "I own I should
like to know

"You would like to know how I can justify it," inter-posed Mr. Bruff.
"I can tell you in two minutes.  Understand, in the first place,
that I look at this matter from a lawyer's point of view.  It's a
question of evidence, with me.  Very well.  The evidence breaks down,
at the outset, on one important point."

"On what point?"

"You shall hear.  I admit that the mark of the name proves
the nightgown to be yours.  I admit that the mark of the paint
proves the nightgown to have made the smear on Rachel's door.
But what evidence is there to prove that you are the