“I dare not do it. No, we will devise some better scheme.”
“I am at your mercy—it is not for me to dictate. I leave the affair in your hands.”
Mr. Kensett considered for some little time and then said—
“I do not approve of your scheme—it is not practicable; but I shall save you, Alfred Purvis—save you for my poor dear boy’s sake. Listen—you will have to submit to a short term of imprisonment—you must be locked up for the night. In the morning you will be brought before the police-court, and evidence will be offered to justify me in remanding the case—this I shall do.”
“And what then?”
“Apply for bail, which I will grant. If the case does not assume a very serious aspect, possibly I may feel justified in letting you out on your own recogniances. The rest is an easy matter. Go abroad; get out of the way till the offence is blown over. You can do this, I suppose.”
“I shall not trouble myself to come up for a second hearing—you may depend upon that,” said Sutherland, with a mocking laugh.
“And if I do this you will promise to lead a new life, and strive as best you can to make atonement for your past errors. Will you promise?”
“Oh! certainly. I pass my word—that is sufficient,” replied the prisoner carelessly.
“You are not sincere, and do not mean what you say.”