"It was just half past two," said Mr. Williams. "I looked at the clock."
"Mark!" cried Franklin, with an air of triumph.
"Upon my word, Mr. Jennings," said Mr. Blanchard, "we have been too hasty—"
At this moment the door opened, and another person entered.
"Just in time," muttered Mr. Jennings.
It was Mr. Blake, chief partner in the firm of Blake, Blanchard & Co. He was a venerable old gentleman, of an agreeable person, with a certain dignity which well became his snow-white hair, but through which, on the present occasion, appeared a settled firmness, almost a sternness, boding no good.
"You have come in time," said Jennings. "Do you know what is going on here?"
"I do. The facts have been related to me."
"And the famous defence?" added Jennings, with one of his worst sneers, "do you know that also?"
"I do. It is a clear case. There is but one course for us."