'Nothing can save me,' George repeated. 'Is that all you came to say, Sir Samuel?'
'That is all. A clean breast is all we ask.'
'Then, Sir Samuel'—George rose and took a bundle of papers from the table—'let us find my Partner. You shall hear what I have to say.'
'Ah! that's right—that's sensible. I knew that you would be open to reason. Come. He is sure to be alone at this early hour. Come at once.'
They went out together. The clerks noted their faces full of 'business,' as we poetically put it—matters of buying and selling being notoriously of the highest importance conceivable. Evidently something very serious indeed had passed. But the chief personage still held up his head. 'Game, sir, game to the last. But there will be a bolt.'
Mr. Dering was in his usual place, before the letters, which were still unopened. He looked ill, worn, and worried.
'Brother,' said Sir Samuel, 'I bring you a young gentleman who has a communication to make of great importance.'
'Is it about this case? Have you—at last found out something?' The tone, the words, suggested extreme irritability.
'I fear not. You know, I believe, all that we have found out. But now,' said Sir Samuel, rubbing his hands—'now comes the long-expected——'
George interrupted—'What I have to say will not take long. I hear from Sir Samuel that he and Checkley between them have got up a case which involves me in these forgeries.'