Gawtrey paused for some moments in deep thought. At last he lifted his eyes to Philip, and replied:
“Well, then, if it must be. Sooner or later it must have been so; and I want a confidant. You are bold, and will not shrink. You desire to know my occupation—will you witness it to-night?”
“I am prepared: to-night!”
Here a step was heard on the stairs—a knock at the door—and Birnie entered.
He drew aside Gawtrey, and whispered him, as usual, for some moments.
Gawtrey nodded his head, and then said aloud—
“To-morrow we shall talk without reserve before my young friend. To-night he joins us.”
“To-night!—very well,” said Birnie, with his cold sneer. “He must take the oath; and you, with your life, will be responsible for his honesty?”
“Ay! it is the rule.”
“Good-bye, then, till we meet,” said Birnie, and withdrew.