“There is no occasion for either of you remaining here, and you must leave as though in answer to Eliot’s request to call the justice, whom we do not want here. His presence might be fatal. If you do not depart on this pretense, a watchman may be sent. In the tedious delay which will ensue, I shall find time to outwit this presumptuous barrister and his watchmen. Repair to Shakespere’s quarters and there await our coming.”
The three came forth from behind the portieres.
“Well,” remarked Eliot, quietly, “what is the result of this uncalled-for conference?”
His manner of looking at Tamworth, more than his words, showed that their withdrawal had raised his suspicions.
“Peele will go for the justice,” said Tamworth.
“And I with him,” continued Shakespere.
“So,” said Eliot, “I have no desire to break up this family meeting; but if you will have it that way, it is well.”
“Midnight is not an early hour for departure,” said one of the group.
The two men had departed when Tamworth began reading aloud for his own and Marlowe’s benefit the paper unrolled upon the table. At the head was the customary title of court and cause with venue following. Then came the pronoun “I,” with a blank space for the insertion of a name. It was evident that Eliot had not placed any faith in Bame’s statement that this man was Christopher Marlowe. Cases of mistaken identity were not of infrequent occurrence, and this was evidently one; but whatever his name might be, he was none the less the witness upon whom Bame’s cause depended. Such had been the reasoning of the barrister while drawing the paper. Tamworth finished his reading. It was the true recital of the night’s events, but Tamworth shook his head impressively and then asked:
“Upon this you hope for a re-trial?”