Marven broke it. "My son is waiting below to give himself up to justice." His voice quivered for a moment, then became steady again. "He is ready—even anxious—to pay the penalty."
Sir Gadsby's face became purple. He turned to Kenly. "Here you, what the devil do you mean by letting this d——d scoundrel Hora go about kidnapping honest men's sons and bringing 'em up to break their father's hearts? What is the use of a detective force at all?"
Kenly nearly fell off his chair at the suddenness of the attack. He was far too amazed to defend himself. He understood the next moment that the explosion was only the ebullition of a warm heart which needed an outlet, for the next moment the Great Man had taken Captain Marven's hand and was shaking it violently, while he stuttered out, "By Gad, Marven, I have to apologise to you. I've been thinking that you peeped into that despatch box yourself. I'll never forgive myself for doubting you."
Captain Marven smiled sadly. "Though unintentionally, I have betrayed my trust," he said. "If I had been more careful, my son——" He could get no further. The Great Man wiped his eyes and blew his nose violently. He knew Marven's story, knew of his sorrow and his hopes, and he could appreciate the wonderful devotion to duty which had led him to so sacrifice his son. He turned to the Permanent Secretary. "Look here, Markham, we must put our old heads together and get the boy out of this scrape somehow." He nodded to the detective. "You ought to be able to suggest something, Kenly."
The Inspector's face was a study. He foresaw all his efforts being wasted. He set his lips doggedly.
"I am afraid you are asking me to assent in compounding a felony," he answered sourly.
"Compounding a felony be d——d!" roared the Great Man. "I'll guarantee it wouldn't be the first time you've compounded."
To this totally undeserved slur, the Inspector was about to make a heated reply, when the Permanent Secretary intervened. "Sir Gadsby often says more than he means," he remarked, adding thoughtfully, "—in private life, of course."
The Great Man laughed, and said, "Yes, you must not take my last remark to you literally, Inspector."
Kenly's face cleared, but he was still loth to let the victim, about whom he had wound his net, escape.