"So be it," said Day, with a gesture of helplessness, and thus Pye was summoned to the strange conclave. Day took up his book again. "Pray sit down, Mr. Holgate," he said politely; "this is not the criminal dock yet," which seemed to augur badly for my case.
The little clerk, on entering, fixed his glasses on his nose more firmly with two fingers and cast an inquisitive look at us.
"Mr. Pye," said the captain, in his impeccable distant voice, "I am informed that Mr. Morland is not Mr. Morland, but some one else, and I have been referred to you. Is this so?"
Pye glanced at me. "Mr. Morland is the name of the gentleman for whom my firm is acting," he said suavely.
"And not any one else?" said Day.
"Not according to my knowledge," said the clerk.
"Not according to his instructions, sir," I burst out indignantly. "He knows the facts, I'm certain. And if not, I can prove my point readily enough."
"The point is," said Day drily, "whether Mr. Holgate is guilty of the extraordinary charge you have preferred."
"Well, sir, it is material that I acquainted him with the identity of Mr. Morland in Mr. Pye's presence," I replied hotly, feeling my ground moving from under me.
Day looked at Pye. "That is true, sir," said the clerk. "Dr. Phillimore stated in my presence that he had discovered that Mr. Morland was—I think he said Prince Frederic of Hochburg."