He responded to it, and chose discretion. He looked Green over, nevertheless. “I vow I'm very patient with you,” said he, and Green had the discretion on his side to hold his tongue. “Come, man, while we stand talking here that knave may be destroying precious evidence.”
And his lordship went quickly down the stairs, Mr. Green following hard upon his heels, and her ladyship bringing up the rear.
At the door of the library Rotherby came to a halt, and turned the handle. The door was locked. He beckoned a couple of footmen across the hall, and bade them break it open.
CHAPTER XX. Mr. CARYLL'S IDENTITY
“I must see Lord Ostermore!” had been Mr. Caryll's wild cry, as he strode to the door.
From the other side of it there came a sound of steps and voices. Some one was turning the handle.
Hortensia caught Mr. Caryll by the sleeve. “But the letters!” she cried frantically, and pointed to the incriminating papers which he had left, forgotten, upon the desk.
He stared at her a moment, and memory swept upon him in a flood. He mastered the wild agitation that had been swaying him, thrust the paper that he was carrying into his pocket, and turned to go back for the treasonable letters.
“The taper!” he exclaimed, and pointed to the extinguished candle on the floor. “What can we do?”