Barton deemed it unwise to mention before Rich anything of what he had heard from Heringham about Rich’s status in enemy circles. He had mentioned this to Mortimer in private, but the skill with which Rich had parried all attacks thus far, and the stanch support of Admiral Bishop seemed to have obscured that testimony in Mortimer’s mind; and the upshot of it was that he seemed perplexed and rather inclined to lean toward Rich’s side of the case. Barton therefore left the room, and, when out of sight of the others, beckoned Mortimer to follow. In a moment Mortimer excused himself and joined Barton in a corridor where they could be far enough to be safe from eavesdroppers while they conversed in whispers. Barton then reminded him of the testimony received in the secret messages from Heringham in Constantinople.
Mortimer thought a moment and then remarked: “That might all have come from some spy who has caught on to Evans’s method of getting messages from Gibraltar, and has smuggled in fake messages implicating Rich.”
“That is extremely improbable,” said Barton. “Anyway, there are so many things all pointing the same way I am convinced of his guilt.”
“He has offered a reasonable explanation of every item thus far,” said Mortimer. “I don’t see how we can prove the case against him without something more definite and unanswerable than we’ve got.”
While this whispered conference was going on in the corridor, Commander Rich and Admiral Bishop were making things as uncomfortable as they were able for Evans. The Admiral was so incensed by the affair that he freely proclaimed his indignation—men who made such accusations against one of Rich’s integrity and distinguished service ought to be imprisoned. Rich, with malicious insinuation, turned the odium of it upon Evans who, glum and silent, paid no apparent heed.
Mortimer and Barton in the corridor outside were making little progress with their conference and were about to rejoin the others when Mortimer’s attention was drawn to the sound of a man’s voice talking rather excitedly to one of the clerks in the outer office. He listened and could hear the voice saying, “It is most important that I should see him at once.”
Then he heard the clerk say, “He is having a very important conference and can’t be disturbed.”
Mortimer stepped into the outer office and saw that the man with the excited voice was Rand.
“Did you wish to see me?” he asked.
“Yes, at once,” answered Rand breathlessly.