"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to go on with this case any more."
"I can understand your reason," said Roper; "you think Miss Cotoner may be mixed up in it."
"No, I don't."
"Yes, you do, sir--apologising for the contradiction; but if you want to find out who killed Verschoyle, you had better go on with the case; it will be more satisfactory to yourself and"--hesitating--"Miss Cotoner."
"She has nothing to do with it."
"Of course not," said Roper, soothingly; "we've only the similarity of name to go by. I think I would go to this meeting to-night sir, if I were you."
Ronald thought a moment----"Very well, I will," he said resignedly; and then Roper arose to take his leave.
"I'll look in to-morrow, and see what information you've obtained," he said. "Good-day, Mr. Foster--good-day, Mr. Monteith."
"Good-day," replied Ronald, not taking his eyes off the table.