Powl that your master will
not leave here till noon to-morrow, if he go even then. Tell him
there are a hundred things to be done here, and a hundred more that
can only be done properly at my office in Holborn. Come to think
of it--we had better see to that first of all,' he went on,
unlocking the door. 'Get hold of Powl, and see. And be quick
back, and clear me up this mess.'
Mr. Rowley was no sooner gone than the lawyer took a pinch of
snuff, and regarded me with somewhat of a more genial expression.
'Sir,' said he, 'it is very fortunate for you that your face is so
strong a letter of recommendation. Here am I, a tough old
practitioner, mixing myself up with your very distressing business;
and here is this farmer's lad, who has the wit to take a bribe and
the loyalty to come and tell you of it--all, I take it, on the
strength of your appearance. I wish I could imagine how it would
impress a jury!' says he.
'And how it would affect the hangman, sir?' I asked
'Absit omen!' said Mr. Romaine devoutly.
We were just so far in our talk, when I heard a sound that brought
my heart into my mouth: the sound of some one slyly trying the
handle of the door. It had been preceded by no audible footstep.
Since the departure of Rowley our wing of the house had been
entirely silent.
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