"That advice about preserving silence will very well apply to you, also, Mr. Bert Dodge," rejoined the lawyer. "Take a seat in the background, please. I want to talk with your father."
"What's the matters" demanded Bert, not taking a seat, but advancing and leaning against the top of the lawyer's desk. "Has this fellow won you over with a lot of his smooth talk?"
"Mr. Griffin I warned you that Prescott is a most accomplished liar."
Instead of flaring up at this insult, Dick merely turned to exchange amused smiles with Holmes.
At this moment the attorney was paying no heed to Bert, but was placing a chair courteously for the elder Dodge.
"Now, Mr. Dodge," began the lawyer, speaking rapidly and paying heed only to the father, "I am very glad that I insisted on seeing Mr. Prescott before going further in the case that you placed with me. I expected only a denial. I have, instead, been astounded. Now, listen, sir, while I tell you the all but incredible story."
Thereupon Lawyer Griffin launched into a swift narration of the story told by Dick Prescott and Dr. Carter.
As soon as Bert Dodge began to get wind of what it was all about, his face became ghastly.
"Stop right here, Griffin!" commanded Bert. "This is all a tissue of lies that have been sprung upon you."
"Silence, young man!" commanded the lawyer sternly. "This talk is between your father and myself. As for you, young man, remember to what you have sworn, and bear in mind that the upshot of it all for you may yet be a term of years in the penitentiary."