"If you choose to speak, the English consul will exert all his influence to procure a mitigation of your sentence—whatever it may be."
Lenoir nodded.
"But if you do not, why, the whole force of the British Embassy will be exerted against you; so I fancy your choice will soon be made."
Lenoir sat silent for some minutes.
"Have you made up your mind?" asked the detective at length.
"I don't see why I should speak; they belong to the same cursed country as that Markby."
"Well, don't you see how nicely things come round? You clear the prisoners, and by so doing incriminate Markby, alias Murray."
"Aye; but where is he?"
"In Marseilles. I am only waiting for a little more evidence before I lay my hands on him. He is a slippery customer, and it won't do to arrest him until the case is complete."
"Then, curse him, I'll tell all—nay, more, if you look in that drawer, where the pistols are, you know, you will find a note from him to me. That will be quite as good evidence as my word."