Haywood next called on Mr. Royalton, the lawyer, who had acted in behalf of Carlos at the examination.
“So your client has escaped, Mr. Royalton,” he said, as he entered the lawyers’ office.
“I understand that he has,” was the reply, delivered with a cool bow.
“A very unwise proceeding, I should judge, if your boast yesterday amounted to anything.”
“To what boast do you refer, sir?”
“Why, to those remarks in your closing speech to the effect that the natives were to be astonished by some very startling developments that would shield the young villain from harm. But, perhaps, the escape was the grand stroke of policy you referred to.”
“If you intend that as a jest, Mr. Haywood, we will consider it a witty one, and let it pass.”
Haywood bit his lips at this rejoinder, and looked askant into Mr. Royalton’s face, which certainly did not bear an expression of warm cordiality.
“Well, Mr. Royalton,” he said, after a moment, “I have come to ask you a question. You are aware that an envelope directed to Mr. Timothy Tibbs was found on Colonel Conrad’s table, and the supposition is that it was intended to convey a letter or message of some kind. What I want to ask is, if your client made mention of discovering any such letter when he com—when the murder was committed.”
“Has it struck you, Mr. Haywood, that it is rather an absurd proceeding for a man to question a lawyer concerning his client’s admissions or actions?”