"Never by me! I should never have the strength to attempt compulsion with
Chichester."
"Some one else might tackle him."
"Who?" cried out Mr. Harding.
"Some man with authority."
"Do you mean ecclesiastical authority?"
"Oh, dear, no! I was thinking of a man like, say, Professor Stepton."
As Malling spoke, a curious figure seemed almost to dawn upon them, sidewise, becoming visible gently in the darkness; a short man, with hanging arms, a head poked forward, as if in sharp inquiry, and rather shambling legs, round which hung loosely a pair of very baggy, light trousers.
"And here is the professor!" said Malling, stopping short.
IX
That night when, very late, Mr. Harding and Malling returned to the red doll's house and let themselves into it with a latch-key, they found lying upon the table in the little hall a brown envelop.