A FEW FACTS CONNECTED WITH THE CASE.
When the two young men left Lincoln's Inn Fields after the momentous interview with Hilliston, they walked on in silence for some distance, each busied with his own thoughts. Like most solitaries, Tait had a habit of speaking aloud, and, unmindful of the presence of Claude, he stopped short at the gate of the New Law Courts to give vent to his feelings.
"It is decidedly suspicious," he said in a low tone, "and quite inexplicable."
"What are you talking about?" asked Claude irritably, whereupon Tait became aware that he was not alone, but nevertheless showed no disposition to balk the question.
"I was thinking of Mr. Hilliston," he returned quietly. "I am not at all satisfied with his conduct. He is hostile to us, Claude."
"Hostile? Impossible! He is doing all in his power to help us."
"So it appears," answered Tait dryly. "Nevertheless I think that he intends to thwart us in our plans—if he can."
"Now you are talking nonsense," said Claude, as they resumed their walk. "Why, he first brought the case under my notice."
"And why? Because he wanted to be beforehand with Mrs. Bezel. If he had not told she would have done so, and naturally enough he wished to be first in the field."
"But I can't think ill of him," protested Larcher. "He has been a second father to me."