“You’re very helpful,” said Eddis.
“The fact is, all the evidence against the man has gone phut,” said Lomas. “It’s deuced awkward, but we have to face it. Better let him out, Eddis.”
Eddis gasped. “My dear Lomas! I really can’t follow you. The only evidence which is proved false is the tobacco, which wasn’t crucial. The rest is open to suspicion, but we can’t say it’s false, and it satisfied the judge and jury. It’s unprecedented to reduce the sentence to nothing in such a case.”
“I’m not thinking of your troubles,” said Lomas. “I want to know what Mr. Witt has up his sleeve.”
Reggie came out of his smoke. “Let Wilton out—have him watched—and see what Witt and Co. get up to. Well, that’s one way. But it’s a gamble.”
“It’s also out of the question,” Eddis announced.
Reggie turned on him. “What exactly are you for, Eddis?” he said. “What is the object of your blessed existence?”
Eddis remarked coldly that it was not necessary to lose one’s temper.
“No. No, I’m not cross with you, but you puzzle my simple mind. I thought your job was to see justice done. Well, get on with it.”
“If you’ll be so very good as to say what you suggest,” said Eddis, flushing.