“Do you?” said Mr Barnacle to Hawkesbury.
Hawkesbury flushed as he replied, “I never expected to be asked such a question, Mr Barnacle. I know nothing about it.”
Mr Merrett evidently disliked his partner’s persistency in putting to Hawkesbury the same questions as had been put to me, but he could hardly complain. He turned to his nephew and said, “Did you fetch a policeman, Hawkesbury?”
“No; I was just going when you called me in here.”
Mr Merrett touched his bell, and Crow appeared.
“Is Doubleday in?” asked the senior partner.
“No, sir.”
“As soon as he comes in, tell him he is wanted.”
Crow took an eyeful of us as we stood there, evidently dying of curiosity to know what it all meant, and then retired.
“You two had better go to your work for the present,” said Mr Barnacle; “but understand that you are neither of you at liberty to leave the office. Merrett, I will go down to the bank.”