His abstinence was rewarded later in the week, for Mensmore came to see him. The young man wore an expression of settled melancholy which surprised the barrister greatly.
“Have you prevailed on your sister to take us into her confidence?” he said, when Mensmore was ensconced in a chair in his cosy sitting-room.
“No. She is more fixed than ever in her resolve to take the whole blame on herself.”
“Surely this mistaken idea can be shaken?”
“I fear not.”
“And you also share it?”
“I do. Bear with us, Bruce. This is a terrible business. It has broken me up utterly.”
“Nonsense. You are in no way concerned save to shield your sister, and no one credits her wild statements regarding her complicity in this crime.”
“Look here, my dear fellow, I have come to ask you if this investigation cannot be allowed to rest. It means a lot of misery that you cannot foretell or prevent. Knowing what I do, I cannot believe that Lady Dyke was murdered.”