"Yes; because I believe him to be innocent."
"Then why arrest him?" asked Norwood.
Dowker shrugged his shoulders.
"The evidence against him was too strong to permit him being at large, but from what I have learnt lately I have reason to believe he is not the guilty man."
This remark, coming from such a source, produced the profoundest impression in the mind of May Penfold, and Norwood himself seemed relieved, while the baronet stood on the hearthrug and looked stolidly on.
"Then we can work together?" said the lawyer.
"Yes; to prove the innocence of Mr. Desmond," replied Dowker. "And in doing so we will discover the real criminal."
"And now," observed Balscombe in a cold voice, "having settled this little matter about helping Mr. Desmond, whom I sincerely trust will be proved innocent of this charge, perhaps, Mr. Dowker, you will inform me the reason of your visit?"
"Certainly, sir," replied Dowker deliberately. "I want to ask you some questions about Lady Balscombe."
Two of his listeners looked at him in surprise struck by the singularity of the coincidence that he should have called on exactly the same errand as they did.