“You haven’t advised it,” she exclaimed. “The moment I heard that Sir Harold was going to defend Harry I made up my mind to see him.”
“Between you and me,” went on the worthy man, “it has always seemed to me to be dashed stupid that the advocate who is going to defend a man accused of a serious crime isn’t allowed to see him! In this case it might make a real difference, for if Mr. Garlett convinced me of his innocence, who’d gone to see him feeling pretty sure he was guilty, then think of the effect seeing him might have on a man who wants to think him innocent?”
“Can’t I persuade Sir Harold to see Harry?”
The detective gave a short barklike laugh.
“Sir Harold won’t see Mr. Garlett till they’re both in court, and one of them in the dock!”
Jean covered her eyes with her hand, but that made her see all the more clearly the awful picture conjured up by Mr. Kentworthy’s words.
“Look here, Miss Bower. If you will keep your word you’ll never let Sir Harold know how you obtained them, I’ll give you these anonymous letters to show him. I’m sure the Prosecution don’t mean to produce those letters. ’Twould put people off writing to the police if they thought their letters would be put in among the exhibits.”
“Exhibits?” echoed Jean, “what are they?”
“Exhibits are the actual, concrete objects connected with the case,” explained Kentworthy. “If you show Sir Harold these letters he may demand that the originals be ‘put in,’ as they call it. That will add a useful touch of mystery—and he’ll make the most of it, never fear!”
“Then I’m to leave these facsimile letters with him?”