"There is only one thing to do," said Eversleigh, finding words at last; "we must make the truth known at once."
"No," said Silwood, emphatically; "that would be sheer folly; it will be soon enough to act in that way when we must. Besides, is there no scheme that we can devise to——"
"What scheme could be devised?"
"I have thought of one," said Silwood, and for several minutes he spoke to Eversleigh in low tones of persuasion, but Eversleigh refused to agree to what he proposed.
"No," said Eversleigh, finally; "I'll never consent to that—never, come what may."
"Think it over, Frank," Silwood pressed him—"think it over calmly; and, in any case, there is no need for precipitancy."
"If I did my duty," said Eversleigh, with a groan, "I should hand you and myself over to the police!"
"That would be madness," replied Silwood. "Think of it, man! You will never be such a fool."
Eversleigh rose to his feet with a sudden pathetic dignity.
"Leave me!" he commanded Silwood; "I can bear no more."