Harold rose from his chair again, and again paced the room. He was not prepared with any defiance.
"And where is he—this Bycliffe?" he said at last, stopping in his walk, and facing round toward Jermyn.
"I decline to say more till you promise to suspend proceedings against me."
Harold turned again, and looked out of the window, without speaking, for a moment or two. It was impossible that there should not be a conflict within him, and at present it was a very confused one. At last he said—
"This person is in ignorance of his claim?"
"Yes."
"Has been brought up in an inferior station?"
"Yes," said Jermyn, keen enough to guess part of what was going on in Harold's mind. "There is no harm in leaving him in ignorance. The question is a purely legal one. And, as I said before, the complete knowledge of the case, as one of evidence, lies exclusively with me. I can nullify the evidence, or I can make it tell with certainty against you. The choice lies with you."
"I must have time to think of this," said Harold, conscious of a terrible pressure.
"I can give you no time unless you promise me to suspend proceedings."