“And of course I shall,” said West; “for I’m horribly sorry for the poor fellow. He couldn’t withstand the temptation to buy the diamonds for a mere nothing and sell them at a heavy price.”
“I don’t want to be malicious, Noll,” said Ingleborough; “but I’ve for some time been under the impression that Master Anson was a humbug. There, come along! Of course I don’t like a piece of business like this; but we must make rogues go to the wall. You’re too soft-hearted, Noll, my boy.”
“Perhaps so,” replied the lad; “but I’d rather be so than too hard-hearted.”
Chapter Six.
A Vain Search.
West saw at once upon entering the presence of the principals that things appeared bad for Anson, who stood facing a table at which three of the directors of the great company were seated, all looking very stern. They signed to Ingleborough and West to stand upon their right—Anson was facing them to the left.
Then there was a brief colloquy in a low tone between the three directors, ending in one of them saying aloud: “You speak.”
The gentleman thus addressed turned to Ingleborough.