"The more willingly because I wish to consult you afterwards on a pleasanter subject.… Now in this matter, I put it to you that— the Master choosing to stand aside—you and I have some responsibility. Try, first, to understand mine. So long as I have to account for the discipline of St. Hospital I can scarcely ignore such a scandal, hey?"
"No," agreed Brother Copas, after a long look at him. "I admit that you would find it difficult." He mused a while. "No," he repeated; "to be quite fair, there's no reason why you—who don't know Bonaday—should assume him to be any better than the rest of us."
"—While you, on your part, will naturally be eager to clear your friend."
"If I thought the accusation serious."
"Do you mean to say that you have simply ignored it?"
Now this happened to be an awkward question; and Brother Copas, seeking to evade it, jumped (as they say) from the frying-pan into the fire.
"Tut, sir! The invention of some poisonous woman!"
"You are sure the letter was written by a woman?"
Brother Copas was sure, but had to admit that he lacked evidence. He did not confess to having laid a small plot which had failed him. He had received no less than eleven tenders for his weekly laundry, but not one of the applicants had written the 'W' in 'Washing List' with that characteristic initial curl of which he was in search.
"Then you have made some investigations?… Nay, I don't wish more of your confidence than you choose to give me. So long as I know that you are not treating the business as negligible—"