I told him what I knew, and I heard him grind his teeth.

“The scoundrels!” he muttered.

“There is no telling what a man may do for dear life,” said Mr Frewen, sadly.

“But Walters. Did you see anything of him?” said Mr Brymer.

I was silent. Something seemed to choke me, and I could not speak for the hot indignation I felt.

“Poor boy!” groaned Mr Brymer. “I never liked him, but it is horrible for him to have come to such an end as this.”

“Yes!” I said bitterly, as I found my tongue; “horrible for him to have come to such an end as this.”

They did not grasp the truth, and I would not tell them.

“They’ll know soon enough,” I thought.

“Well, gentlemen,” said Mr Denning, speaking now, “there is no doubt about the catastrophe. What is to be done?”