The Law of the Four Just Men · The Man with the Canine Teeth (3/3)

“My own theory,” said Gonsalez later, “is that Munsey has been working for years to oust his cousin from his father’s affections. He probably invented the story of the dipsomaniac father of Miss Faber.”

Young Tableman had come to their lodgings, and now Gonsalez had a shock. Something he said had surprised a laugh from Stephen, and Gonsalez stared at him.

“Your⁠—your teeth!” he stammered.

Stephen flushed.

“My teeth?” he repeated, puzzled.

“You had two enormous canines when I saw you last,” said Gonsalez. “You remember, Manfred?” he said, and he was really agitated. “I told you⁠—”

He was interrupted by a burst of laughter from the young student.

“Oh, they were false,” he said awkwardly. “They were knocked out at a rugger match, and Benson, who’s a fellow in our dental department and is an awfully good chap, though a pretty poor dentist, undertook to make me two to fill the deficiency. They looked terrible, didn’t they? I don’t wonder your noticing them. I got two new ones put in by another dentist.”

“It happened on the thirteenth of September last year. I read about it in the sporting press,” said Manfred, and Gonsalez fixed him with a reproachful glance.

“You see, my dear Leon⁠—” Manfred laid his hand on the other’s shoulder⁠—“I knew they were false, just as you knew they were canines.”

When they were alone, Manfred said:

“Talking about canines⁠—”

“Let us talk about something else,” snapped Leon.