"How should we?" protested Challoner.
Murgatroyd frowned, then he answered:—
"How? Because I advised your counsel, Thorne, and he was present when the order releasing you was signed. It was his duty, not mine, to communicate with you. I represented the people; he was the counsel for the defence."
"Thorne—Thorne knew...." cried Miriam.
"Yes, Thorne knew...." admitted Murgatroyd.
"... and he never told us," came finally from Challoner's lips.
"Possibly he didn't dare," explained Murgatroyd, with an enigmatical smile. "Just at that time, Thorne and Thorne's crowd held the public in the hollow of their hands. So perhaps," he added sarcastically, "the news about Pemmican was suppressed for the public good."
"And you—" spoke up Shirley, her eyes flashing, but got no further, for Murgatroyd went on addressing Challoner.
"I had no trouble, then, of course, in setting you free."
Challoner blinked stupidly at the prosecutor, but Miriam's face at once was wreathed in smiles; for she knew that their future happiness was assured—that the name of Challoner would be cleared of its stain.