At last he sprang to his feet. "I shall know in a moment whether the lad is guilty or innocent," he said half-aloud. "It will be time enough to think what I shall do after I have seen him." And leaving word with Phillips in the outer office, as he passed through, that he should be back in an hour, he walked quickly to the police station.
"Good-morning, Rawlins! I hear you have Mr. Arthur Murray here. What idiot has done this?"
"You can see the warrant, sir," answered the inspector.
"I'll see that afterwards. I want you to let me see your prisoner here, in the full light of day."
"All right, sir! I will send for him from the cells."
And in a minute or two, Arthur came into the room, but he was looking so pale and woebegone that for a moment the old man's heart almost died within him, until Arthur lifted his eyes and looked straight into the old man's fearlessly and frankly.
Then Mr. Andrews stepped forward and grasped his hand.
"This is a nice kettle of fish!" he said cheerily.
"I don't want my mother to know, Mr. Andrews," said Arthur anxiously. "Have you heard that she is getting better, and able to come downstairs every day?"
"Glad to hear it," said Mr. Andrews, somewhat indifferently, for he had no great liking for Mrs. Murray. "The thing we have to consider is, how we are to get you out of this ugly business. Now tell me all you know about it. Mind, every bit! No keeping anything back!"