“Is this a mere opinion or do you propose to offer me proof?”
“Six men driven by this means alone to the lunatic asylum, of whom two died there soon after.”
“Hum! of what nature is your proof? I cannot receive assertion.”
“Entries made at the time by a man of unimpeachable honesty.”
“Indeed!”
“Who hates me and adores Mr. Hawes.”
“Very well, Mr. Eden,” replied the other keenly, “whatever you support by such evidence as that I will accept as fact and act upon it.”
“Done!”
“Done!” and Mr. Lacy smiled good-humoredly, but, it must be owned, incredulously. “Is that proof at hand?” he added.
“It is. But one thing at a time—the leathern gallows is the iniquity we are unearthing at present. Ah! here are Mr. Hawes and his subordinates.”