"Assuredly, for it is not true," Mannering answered. "Pray don't let me detain you any longer!"
He turned on his heel and walked away, but the reporter kept pace with him.
"You will pardon me, but this is a very serious affair, Mr. Mannering," he said. "Serious for both of us. Do you mind discussing it with me?"
"Not in the least," Mannering answered, "so long as you permit me to continue my way homewards."
"I will walk with you, sir, if you don't mind," the reporter said. "It is a very serious matter indeed, this! My people are as keen as possible to make use of it. If they do, and it turns out a true story, you, of course, will never sit for Leeds. And if on the other hand it is false, I shall get the sack!"
"Well, it is false," Mannering said.
"Some parts of it, perhaps," the young man answered, smoothly. "Not all, Mr. Mannering."
"Old men are garrulous," Mannering remarked. "I expect you will find that your friend has been letting his tongue run away with him."
"He has committed his statements to paper," Ronaldson remarked.
"And signed them?"