CHAPTER XVIII
HOW MR. SPAYTHE CONFESSED
It was Phoebe’s turn to start and draw a long breath, but she managed to stifle her surprise and retain her self-possession. In an instant she knew that the young man, deceived by her reference to the box, had inadvertently committed himself and she determined to take advantage of his slip. Mr. Holbrook’s question was so astonishing that for a moment it fairly bewildered her, yet the pause before she answered might well be mistaken for a natural hesitation.
“Not everything,” she calmly replied. “But I had no idea you—knew—so much—of the truth, Mr. Holbrook,” she continued, with a searching look into his face.
“I admit that I have been in a quandary how to act,” he said confidently, yet in an eager tone. “But it gives me great relief to know that you, who are in the secret, can understand my motives and sympathize with my dilemma. At the very outset of my career in Riverdale I have a case thrust upon me that bids fair to ruin my prestige in the town, for unless I can disprove the evidence against young Clark, without implicating the real criminal, I shall be considered an unsuccessful lawyer. You and I realize that I can’t implicate the guilty person, for that would arouse the indignation of all Riverdale; and unless I clear Clark, who has the sympathy of all, I shall be generally condemned. Just see what an impression that parade of the children made! I’ve puzzled over the matter continually, striving to find a solution, but until you came with your hint about a substituted box I was completely at a loss what to do. Can you tell me anything more?”
“I should not have told you so much, sir,” she answered.
“I understand. We must be cautious what we say, we who know.”
“How did you discover that—she—took the box?” Phoebe asked, breathing hard as she pronounced the word “she” but outwardly appearing calm.
The lawyer glanced at Nathalie, who had remained silent but amazed.
“Your friend knows?” he asked Phoebe.
“Not all,” she said. “Not—the name.”