"If we do that, Steingall, what is there left?" said one of them good-humoredly.
"The biggest thing you have dropped on to this year; unless I am greatly mistaken, the scoop of scoops for those who happen to be present. I'm not going to pretend that any of you are blind or deaf, and it will assist the police materially if no comment is made on what you have heard and seen. I don't like to put it otherwise than as a friendly hint; but I may want the whole bunch as witnesses before this thing is through, so your mouths should be closed effectually with regard to incidents in this room."
A half-hearted laugh went around, and someone asked:
"We must put up a readable story of some kind—if we cut out certain details, surely we can use others?"
"I said 'incidents in this room,'" repeated the detective.
"Then we can mention the arrival of the Earl and the Count on the scene?"
"Why not?"
"One minute, sir," put in Mr. Horace P. Curtis. "If these gentlemen take you at your word, the charge made against my nephew will be published throughout the length and breadth of the United States to-morrow."
"I don't see how something of the sort is to be avoided," said Steingall.
"Then, in common fairness, the newspapers ought to state that my wife and I, as well as Mr. Devar, as good as told the Earl that he was lying."