You know there's a man's life at stake--Hyde's! Hyde is as
innocent as I am--he's an old schoolfellow of mine."
"I understand," said Methley. "Very well, trust to me, Mr. Viner."
He went off with a reassuring nod, and Viner returned to Mr. Carless'
room. The three men he had left there were deep in conversation, and as
he entered, Mr. Carless smote his hand on the desk before him.
"This is certain!" he exclaimed. "We must have this Miss Avice Wickham
here--at once!"
CHAPTER XIX
UNDER EXAMINATION
Mr. Pawle nodded assent to this proposition and rose from his chair.
"It's the only thing to do," he said. "We must get to the bottom of this
as quickly as possible--whether Miss Wickham can tell us much or little,
we must know what she can tell. Let us all meet here again at three
o'clock--I will send one of my clerks to fetch her. But let us be clear
on one point--are we to tell this young lady what our conclusions are,
regarding herself?"
"Your conclusions!" said Mr. Carless, with a sly smile. "We know nothing
yet, you know, Pawle."
"My conclusions, then," assented Mr. Pawle.
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