"Is there anything more wanted, at all?"
"There is one thing wanted. It is the identification of the lady as the adopter of the child, and that lies in the hands of Sir Robert."
"Do you think he knows?"
"I am certain he knows. Why did he ask us all to dinner, if he does not know? I am pretty certain, too, that he won't let out, unless we make him."
"How can we make him, Dick, if he won't?"
"There is only one way, Molly. The case is strong, circumstantially—that if we make it public, the world will be forced to believe it, whatever the lady may say and swear. Nothing could be stronger."
"I want no proof," said Alice. "If you cannot bring my son to me, I shall go to him and tell him all."
"The one thing that will weigh with Sir Robert and the lady is the fear of publicity. I will make one more attempt, Molly. I will go to the lady first and to the doctor afterwards. If they remain obdurate, I will take advice as to the best way of obtaining publicity. And that will ruin the one and damage the other."
There was one other person present at this council. It was John Haveril. He said nothing, but he listened, with far-away eyes, like a gardener over a strawberry-bed. When Dick concluded, he took his hands out of his pockets and walked out of the room.