"No," I said, "I cannot."
"What is the matter?" he asked, and what I should have answered I don't know, for at that moment there was a knock at the door and in response to my eager, "Come in!" Miles entered. No one knows the relief the interruption brought to me, for it meant at least some moral support—if not a respite. Miles looked at Littell and bowed, receiving a nod in response, and then glanced inquiringly at me, and I understood the question and shook my head. Littell may have observed us, but if so, there was no evidence of it, for he continued as imperturbable as ever.
"Do you wish to speak to me privately?" I asked Miles.
"No, I think not," he replied; "what I have to say will interest Mr. Littell as well"; and without waiting to be questioned, he added, "Winters is dying!"
I rose. "I shall go to him at once," I said, and I asked the detective to accompany me, but I said nothing to Littell, for it hardly seemed the place for him.
"I think I shall go too," he announced, and then as if by way of explanation, for he must have seen my hesitation, he added, "I am his counsel, you know."
To this I had nothing to say. If he wished to go he had a right to do so, and with a short nod of acquiescence I led the way from the room.
"I have a carriage at the door; there is no time to lose," Miles said, and we entered it and were driven rapidly towards our destination.
After we were well on our way, Littell turned casually to Miles.
"Well," he said, "have you made any progress?"