discuss his vigorous outburst and to take sides for
and against him.

Bryce, judging it advisable to keep away from Mitchington just then,
and, for similar reasons, keeping away from Harker also, went out of the
crowded building alone--to be joined in the street outside by Sackville
Bonham, whom he had noticed in court, in company with his stepfather,
Mr. Folliot.

Folliot, Bryce had observed, had stopped behind, exchanging some
conversation with the Coroner. Sackville came up to Bryce with a knowing
shake of the hand. He was one of those very young men who have a habit
of suggesting that their fund of knowledge is extensive and peculiar,
and Bryce waited for a manifestation.

"Queer business, all that, Bryce!" observed Sackville confidentially.
"Of course, Ransford is a perfect ass!"

"Think so?" remarked Bryce, with an inflection which suggested
that Sackville's opinion on anything was as valuable as the
Attorney-General's. "That's how it strikes you, is it?"

"Impossible that it could strike one in any other way, you know,"
answered Sackville with fine and lofty superiority. "Ransford should
have taken immediate steps to clear himself of any suspicion. It's
ridiculous, considering his position--guardian to--to Miss Bewery, for
instance--that he should allow such rumours to circulate. By God, sir,
if it had been me, I'd have stopped 'em!--before they left the parish
pump!"

"Ah?" said Bryce. "And--how?"

"Made an example of somebody," replied Sackville, with emphasis. "I
believe there's law in this country, isn't there?--law against libel and
slander, and that sort of thing, eh? Oh, yes!"

"Not been much time for that--yet," remarked Bryce.

"Piles of time," retorted Sackville, swinging his stick vigorously. "No,
sir, Ransford is an ass! However, if a man won't do things for himself,
well, his friends must do something for him. Ransford, of course,
must be pulled--dragged!--out of this infernal hole. Of course he's
suspected! But my stepfather--he's going to take a hand. And my
stepfather, Bryce, is a devilish cute old hand at a game of this sort!"

"Nobody doubts Mr. Folliot's abilities, I'm sure," said Bryce. "But--you
don't mind saying--how is he going to take a hand?"

"Stir things towards a clearing-up," announced Sackville promptly. "Have
the whole thing gone into--thoroughly. There are matters that haven't
been touched on, yet. You'll see, my boy!"

"Glad to hear it," said Bryce. "But--why shoul