"He's right, Berne," Wilton cautioned again. "He's taken the friendly course."
"I understand that, judge," Berne said; and, without answering Hastings, turned squarely to Wilton: "But it's a thin clue. He admits Russell lost a nail-file, too."
"Several years ago," Hastings goaded, so that Webster pivoted on his heel to face him; "you lost yours when?—last night?—this morning?"
"I don't know! I noticed its absence this morning."
"There you are!—But," Hastings qualified, to avoid the quarrel, "the nail-file isn't much of a clue if unsupported." He approached cordiality. "And I appreciate your intending to tell me. That was what you intended to give me in confidence, wasn't it?"
"Yes," Webster answered, half-sullen.
Hastings changed the subject again.
"Did you know Mildred Brace intended to clear out, leave Washington, today?"
"Why, no!" Webster shot that out in genuine surprise.
"I got it from Russell," Hastings informed, and went at once to another topic.