"Well, so I say; and I can't help thinking he'll come out of the fiery ordeal unscorched."
"What ordeal?"
"The charge of murder. Mr. Greatorex is safe to give him into custody upon it. I don't know that the Grand Jury would find a true bill."
All in a moment, Bede's face took a ghastly look of fear. It startled even the detective, as it was turned sharply upon him. And the voice in which he spoke was harsh and commanding.
"This must not be suffered to come to the knowledge of my father."
"Not suffered to come to his knowledge!" echoed Butterby, agape with wonder.
"No, NO! You must not let him know that Brown is Godfrey Pitman. He must never be told that Pitman is found."
"Why, Heaven bless you, Mr. Bede Greatorex! my honour has been engaged all along in the tracing out of Pitman. That one man has given me more in'ard trouble than any three. We detectives get hold of mortifying things as well as other people, and that's been one of mine. Now that I have trapped Pitman, I can't let the matter drop: and I'm sure Mr. Greatorex won't."
Bede looked confounded. He opened his month to speak, and closed it again.
"And if us two was foolish enough, there's another that wouldn't; that would a'most make us answer for it with our lives," resumed the detective, in a low, impressive tone--"and that is Parson Ollivera."