"Mr. Murner, you came out into the hall precisely at the moment the girl came rushing down the stairs. Did you not see her?"
"If you wish it I can affirm on oath that I never saw a shimmer of her," replied Tom, truthfully, and he could not refrain from laughing at something which only Wallion knew. Ferlin glowered at him with an ironic smile.
"Excuse me," continued Tom, "my laughing arose purely from nervousness ... You will understand."
"I understand," grunted the little man.
"This is no child's play, Mr. Murner, so you had better be careful.... The girl may be out of reach—we must just see. I, for one, shall keep my eyes open, though they mayn't be so fine as her own."
"By Jove! what a talker you are," remarked Aspeland. "Now, Mr. Wallion, Ferlin and I must have a little conversation about this Christian Dreyel, and be ready to answer a heap of questions when the Head of the Department arrives on the scene ... Good-by till then."
Ferlin and he went out together, and soon after sounds of people busy at work overhead became audible.
Wallion grew impatient and began to pace the room.
"What time is it?" he growled. "Half-past eight? Confound it all! Tom, before night I have to be at the other Dreyel's. I have no time for arguing. No, I don't want your company; it would only drag you deeper into the mire and I believe Ferlin is already thinking of arresting you...."
"What? Me...?"