The clerk bowed and went out, closing the door after him. Moreland took his seat directly in front of Calton, and with his back to the door. Kilsip, seeing this, strolled across the room in a nonchalant manner, while Calton engaged Moreland in conversation, and quietly turned the key.
"You want to see me, sir?" said Calton, resuming his seat.
"Yes; that is alone," replied Moreland, uneasily.
"Oh, these gentlemen are my friends," said Calton, quietly; "anything you may say is quite safe."
"That they are your friends, and are quite safe, is nothing to me," said Moreland, insolently, "I wish to speak to you in private."
"Don't you think you would like to know my friends?" said Calton, coolly taking no notice of his remark.
"D— your friends, sir!" cried Moreland, furiously, rising from his seat.
Calton laughed, and introduced Mr. Moreland to the others.
"Dr. Chinston, Mr. Kilsip, and—Mr. Fitzgerald."
"Fitzgerald," gasped Moreland, growing pale. "I—I—what's that?" he shrieked, as he saw Whyte's coat, all weather-stained, lying on a chair near him, and which he immediately recognised.