Vandecar waited for his visitor to proceed.
"Do you see any reason," Everett stammered, "why two young lawyers should not be friends, even if they have to take opposite sides in a lawsuit?"
"No," replied the governor slowly.
"Then I'll lay the whole thing before you, and let you tell me what you think of it."
"Have a cigar while we talk," broke in Vandecar, offering Everett his case.
In silence they began to smoke, and both remained quiet until the governor said:
"Now, explain it to me, please."
Everett began the story of the children's running away, as the squatter had told it to him, and of their coming to Horace. He did not forget to add that he believed Shellington had lied to him the night he came into the dining-room and discovered Fledra and Floyd with the two little animals. When a shade passed over the governor's face, Everett quickly noted that he had made a mistake in the drawing of conclusions.
"Don't be too hasty, Everett," cautioned Vandecar, shaking an ash deliberately from his cigar. "Horace is the soul of truth. If he did not tell it to you, he had good reasons."
Brimbecomb frowned. He could have bitten his tongue out for making that misstep.