"Oh, yes, you would. You pretended to leave London so as to provide an _alibi_ in case of danger," said Vernon quietly, "and you did not think that Colonel Towton would be at the bazaar. Seeing me didn't matter, as you did not know that Towton and myself were working together. And when I think of the infernal rubbish you told me----"
"It was your own fault," said Maunders sulkily, "and I've had enough of this so, I'm off."
He moved towards the door, but Towton sprang forward and caught his arm. "If you leave this room you will be handed over to the police," he declared.
"He will be handed over in any case," said Vernon decisively.
Maunders turned ghastly pale and his knees shook. He was beginning to lose the courage which had carried him so far successfully. "Vernon, you would not disgrace your old friend," he pleaded piteously.
"You are no friend of mine," was the stern reply, "and your sole chance of escape from arrest is to reveal how you learned this secret of Dimsdale's."
"If I tell it will you let me leave this house free?"
"No, I shan't. I intend to keep an eye on you until this mystery of The Spider is cleared up. You are his jackal."
"I am not; I know nothing. I refuse to speak."
"Colonel, go out and fetch a policeman."