“Well,” said he, roughly, “what do you want?”
“Nothing at present, Mr. Claris,” answered the man. “When we do want anything, you know, we can always find it.”
Whatever he thought of the truth of this statement, George Claris was prudent enough not to question it.
CHAPTER XVIII.
In the weeks which followed Nell’s departure for London the spirits of her uncle declined day by day until the red-faced, genial innkeeper had become little more than the shadow of his former self.
He missed his niece more than he would admit even to himself. And although it is true that his mind had become tainted with suspicion of her truth and honesty, he would have been ready and willing to receive her back and to forget the doubts which he could not wholly stifle. But Nell was sharpsighted enough to understand this state of feeling, as revealed to her unconsciously by her uncle in his letters. So she made excuses for remaining in London, and George Claris was left lonely.
The innkeeper, although he did not share Clifford’s entire confidence in Nell, was grateful to the young barrister for it. But he said that Nell had forbidden him to divulge her address, and Mr. King must wait for the girl’s own time for making it known to him.
Just before Clifford left reluctantly for London, he had another interview with the detective Hemming, who, after having disappeared for a fortnight, had returned to the scene of his investigations.
Hemming was reticent, but gave the impression that he was more strongly convinced than ever that he was on the right track as to the perpetrator of the murder and of the robberies.
“Well, what are you going to do?” asked Clifford impatiently. “Are you going to set another decoy to work?”