This was the most awful blow of all. Unconsciously I looked up at the detective, who still paced the room. Instantly my eyes met his. He may have read in my eyes the horror that I felt, or the strength of my feeling may have communicated my thought to him, for at once he stood still, and, staring straight at me, said in a tone of considerable emotion:
"That boy has done a fearful thing, Mr. Berrington. He has"
"Stop! Stop!" I cried, raising my head. "I know what you are going to say! But you mustn't blame him, Albeuryhe did it without knowingabsolutely without knowing! And only you and I know that he is to blame. Dick must never knownever. Nobody else must ever know. If his father ever finds it out, it will kill him."
For some moments Albeury remained quite still. His lip twitchedI had seen it twitch like that before, when he was deeply moved. At last he spoke.
"Nobody shall ever know," he said in the same strained tone. He paused, then:
"I must talk on your telephone," he exclaimed suddenly, turning to leave the room.
As he did so, Simon entered.
"The two men are here, sir," he said. "I have told them you are quite alone. Shall I show them in?"