rose instantly and followed him. "Good afternoon,
gentlemen."

... And so the whole wearisome proceedings were at an end--and Cleek had
spoken no word of that would-be assassin who had come upon him in the
dark watches of the night and sought his life. He noted that Borkins
looked at him in some surprise, but held his counsel. Borkins knew more
than he had said upon his oath _this_ day; of that Cleek was certain.
Well, he would bide his time. There were other ways to work besides the
open-handed fashion of the coroner's court and the policeman's uniform.
He was due to meet Borkins that night and discuss the possibilities of
being taken on to work at the electrical factory. Something might come
out of that--something _must_ come of that. It was impossible that the
thing should be left as it was, and an innocent boy--he was certain of
Merriton's innocence, in spite of the evidence against him--should be
hanged.

As he stepped out into the growing twilight Cleek touched Mr. Narkom on
the arm and then ran over to the van into which the prisoner was
stepping, his guardians of the law upon either side of him, his face
white, his shoulders bowed. 'Toinette stood a few steps distant, the
tears chasing themselves down her face and the sobs drowning her broken
words of comfort to him. He seemed barely to notice her, but at sight of
Cleek he flung himself round, and gave a harsh laugh.

"And a damn lot of good _you've_ done me, for all your fine reputation!"
he said sneeringly, his face reddening. "God! that there should be such
fools allowed to hold the law in their hands! You've made a mistake this
time, Mr. Cl--"

"One moment!" Cleek held up a silencing hand as the name almost escaped
Merriton's lips. "Officer, I'm from Scotland Yard. I'd like a word with
the prisoner alone, if you don't mind, before you take him away. I'll
answer for his safety, I promise.... Keep your heart up, boy; I've not
done yet!" This in a low-pitched voice, as the two men dropped away from
either side. "I've not done by a long shot. But evidence has been so
confoundly against you. I'd hopes of that I.O.U., but the whole thing was
so simply explained--and there were the proofs, you know. Still, there
was no telling how the story would come out. But it was so obviously
true.... Only, keep up your heart, lad; that's what I wanted to tell you.
I'd swear on my oath you weren't guilty. And I'll prove it yet!"

Something like a sob broke in Merriton's vo