The inquiry agent looked keenly at the solicitor for a moment during which they both kept silence. Then Byner smiled.
"You said—'or says he knows,'" he remarked. "Do you think he didn't tell the truth about Parrawhite?"
"I should say—now—it's quite likely he didn't," answered Eldrick. "The truth is, I'm making some inquiry myself about Pratt—and I don't want this to interfere with it. You keep me informed of what you find out, and I'll help you all I can while you're here. It may be——"
A clerk came into the room and looked at his master.
"Mr. George Pickard, of the Green Man at Whitcliffe, sir," he said.
"Well?" asked Eldrick.
"Wants to see you about that advertisement in the paper this morning, sir," continued the clerk.
Eldrick looked at Byner and smiled significantly. Then he turned towards the door.
"Bring Mr. Pickard in," he said.