I shook my head. "He's none too certain about it," I said. "My sending for Lord Lammersfield gave 'em a bit of a shock; and when Gordon rolled up this afternoon and undertook my defence, I don't suppose it made him feel any more confident."
"Gordon!" repeated Billy. "What, the big Parliament guy?"
"That's the gentleman," I said. "Lammersfield sent him down to me, and he's going to run the show for us. By the way, he wants to see you at his chambers at once: I promised him I'd send you round."
"Where does he hang out?" demanded Billy.
"I don't know," I said, "but the Inspector will tell you." Then I sunk my voice. "Don't say anything to him about Lammersfield having borrowed money from Prado—I kept that dark; otherwise you can tell him the truth."
Billy nodded and jumped up from the bed.
"Right!" said he. "If I haven't forgotten the way, I will."
"And, Billy," I added, more anxiously, "keep an eye on Mercia. I'm not so much worried about Guarez and his lot—Gordon's on their track; it's that blackguard Sangatte I'm thinking of. Now he knows I'm tied by the leg, I shouldn't a bit wonder if he took the chance of trying some dirty trick."
"I don't quite see what he can do," said Billy. "Mercia's back with the Tregattocks now, and she ought to be quite safe there."
"I hope so," I returned; "but I wouldn't trust Sangatte as far as I could kick him."