"I shall be glad to do so. Will your mother be alarmed?"
"Yes, I think she will; but you can make things clear to her."
Mrs. Barton was indeed startled when she learned that Bert had been charged with theft, but after a free talk with Mr. Conway she felt much relieved.
"Your defence is perfect, I think," said the young lawyer. "Of course Mr. Jones or his lawyer may claim that you wrote the letter yourself."
"Will it be necessary to send to Uncle Jacob and get him to testify?"
"I don't think so. I think your defence will be complete without it. There is another point of considerable importance which I shall look up to-night. If things turn out as I suspect they will, we shall not need to disturb your Uncle Jacob."
At nine o'clock Mr. Conway took his leave and returned to the hotel. He had a short conference with the landlord, which was evidently satisfactory.
"I think we shall prove too many for Mr. Jones," he murmured softly, as he went up to bed.