'The last train from Greenock left some time ago.'
'What! is it so late as that?'
'Yes; but you can go off to-morrow before breakfast.'
'Very well. But we're going to do this, mind! No shamming—no artistic flourishes—upright, downright villainy!'
'On your part, certainly.'
'And I'm to marry Muriel?'
'Oh, you must see that is impossible. The girl will fight to the death against it. Besides, it would be thoroughly inartistic. No, no. My intention is to bring about an elopement; and then to discover that you are Frank's father. You see? You're old enough. He's only twenty-two, and you're over forty. The invention of antecedents and the getting up evidence will be most engrossing. Of course I'll intercept these young people, and drive them to the very last resource. It will do them any amount of good.'
Briscoe put up his hand warningly, and Lee turned his head and saw
Clacher standing behind him.
'Ah! my good friend,' he said, 'have you had enough?'
'Ay,' said Clacher.