“There are some things that a police official can’t put into plain words, you know. I can’t say outright that I’d be glad to see the beggar off the premises. Can’t you see what I mean?”
But Ernest shook his head dully; and Sir Clinton gave up the effort.
“Oh, very well,” he said. “The responsibility’s mine in any case. I’ll wait till to-morrow and chance it. But I can’t say I’ve got much help from you, Mr. Shandon. When the scandal comes, you needn’t blame me.”
He seemed to consider something for a moment, then he added:
“By the way, I suppose you won’t mind putting me up for the night? I’m taking all the responsibility I’ve any use for, as it is; and I think I ought to be able to say I was here to-night.”
Ernest seemed to be rendered completely owlish by this last request; but he assented willingly enough.
“And Wendover, too, of course,” added Sir Clinton.
He paused for a moment as though in doubt, before speaking again.
“I think I’d better ring up the police-station, if you don’t mind, Mr. Shandon. I’ll do it now.”
Ernest, with a shameless curiosity, followed him to the instrument and waited until he got the connection.