"Well, don't bring him in," he said impatiently; "I'll ring when I want you."
McGrath was dumbfounded. In fact, his astonishment at his superior's evident disinclination to proceed immediately with the examination of Pemmican was such that it came very near to making him forget that there was another reason for his presence there.
"Another lady to see you, counsellor," said McGrath half-apologetically. "It's Mrs. Challoner this time."
Murgatroyd looked up quickly.
"Mrs. Challoner! Why didn't you say so before? Show her in at once!" And as that person came through the door Murgatroyd rose and went forward to meet her, saying:—
"How do you do, Mrs. Challoner? If you had let me know that you wished to see me, I should have been glad to call on you. What can I do for you?"
For a moment Mrs. Challoner did not answer, but looked suspiciously about to see whether any one else was present.
"Mr. Murgatroyd, I do not wish it to be known that I have come here," she began, as she dropped into a chair. She looked haggard, pale and worn. Her manner, the tone of her voice, at once indicated to the prosecutor that she was labouring under some suppressed excitement. It was a situation not at all to his liking, and he watched her narrowly while she proceeded:—
"I have come to see what can be done for my husband."
"Miss Bloodgood was here a short time ago on the same errand," he observed, to put her at ease.