‘Could I see him, Jimmy?’
Her cousin hesitated.
‘I hardly think so,’ he said slowly, ‘at present. Later on if the case really goes to trial there should be no difficulty. Just for the immediate present I shouldn’t make a move. You have done enough for him, writing that letter to the Inspector.’
Lois looked at him searchingly.
‘Don’t try to keep me away from him, Jimmy,’ she pleaded.
‘Of course not. But it would be difficult for you to get an order, and you better wait till we see how things go on. You probably wouldn’t get two orders under any circumstances.’
‘If you keep me from him, I’ll never forgive you.’
‘Dear girl, don’t get notions. I wouldn’t attempt it. But we’re hardly so far on as that yet. There is his family to consider. Have you seen them?’
‘No. Why should I?’
‘Just that if they’re going to undertake the defence I don’t quite see where we come in. But we’ll find that out.’ He paused and then went on: ‘Now, old girl, you’ve come to me for professional advice and you’re going to get it. Don’t think I’m trying to keep you away from Austin Ponson, but my advice to you is, don’t make any announcement of your engagement for a day or two yet. You will only distract and worry Ponson, and you won’t do any good. The thing to concentrate on is to get him out of the hands of the police. He’ll want all his wits to help with that. He knows you’re not going to drop him, and that will be enough to comfort him. Take my advice, Lois, and let things alone for the present.’