Lewis did not inquire what name.
“Go on,” he said, hoarsely.
“This woman—this Margaret—fell in with me, and applied to me to help her. It suited my purpose to do so, although her poverty will prevent my receiving any recompense from her.”
“Then she is poor,” said Lewis, thoughtfully. “Where is she?”
“Pardon me,” said Mr. Sharp, reading the purpose of Lewis in his face; “that is a question which I cannot answer.”
“Has Jacob divulged anything since he was imprisoned?”
“That was not needful. I will at once speak to the point, Mr. Rand. It can be abundantly proved that this forgery was committed at your instigation. Once let this be known, and you become amenable to the same penalties which now menace your instrument. One word from me will carry you to prison to-night. There is no chance of escape. I have obtained a warrant, and an officer is waiting at the door. But there is an alternative.”
Lewis summoned all the energies of his crafty and subtile mind to devise some method of escape. But he was entangled in a labyrinth from which he could not extricate himself.
“Give me till to-morrow,” he said.
“I regret that I cannot do so,” said the lawyer, politely.