“Yes, of course, if——”
Nick arose when she faltered, quietly closing it, then resumed his seat.
“Servants are not always trustworthy, you know, and discretion is always advisable,” he remarked. “Now, Mrs. Clayton, I will tell you what I mean.”
“Well, sir?”
“Let me begin, however, by stating that anything you say to me will be received in strict and inviolable confidence. Not even to save your son from conviction and a prison sentence, Mrs. Clayton, would I, without your permission, reveal any facts that you may disclose. You must be frank with me, therefore, and tell me what I may find it absolutely necessary to know, in order to save him.”
Mrs. Clayton had turned very pale and was trembling visibly.
“This is a strange beginning, Mr. Carter,” she replied. “What do you expect me to disclose?”
“Only the truth, Mrs. Clayton.”
“About what?”
“Your son’s double,” said Nick. “The man who so resembles Chester Clayton that he could perpetrate the crime[Pg 28] committed this morning. Who is this man? What do you know about him?”