“She would probably prefer the idea to that of a murderer,” was the suave reply. “I speak only of ideas; otherwise I should not make use of such an expression, even in jest. It’s as ugly as it’s ridiculous in your case. Yet you heard for yourself that others are applying the horrid term in all sobriety.”
“I heard more than that,” returned Pocket. “They’ve arrested somebody!”
“I thought I told you there was no truth in that?”
But Baumgartner had winced for once, and the boy had seen it, and his retort was a precocious inspiration.
“That was only to avoid a scene at table, Dr. Baumgartner!”
“Well, my young fellow,” said the doctor, after one of his wise pauses, “and what if it was?”
“I can’t sit here and let an innocent man lie in prison.”
“He won’t lie long.”
“It’s absolutely wicked to let them keep him at all.”
“Nor will they, longer than another hour or two.”