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262 you won’t read it—not yet—it won’t help you a bit.”

“I’m not so sure of that,” retorted Godfrey grimly. “Why don’t you want me to read it?”

“The fact is,” Drysdale answered, colouring still more, “that after I got started, I—I forgot I was writing it for you”

“I see,” said Godfrey drily, as the other paused. “I’ll promise you this, Jack—I won’t read it unless I find that I can’t clear you any other way.”

Drysdale heaved a sigh of relief.

“That’s all I want,” he said. “Afterwards, perhaps, I won’t mind; but just now”

His voice trailed off, his lips trembled.

“And you’ve nothing more to tell us?”

“Not a thing.”

“Very well; we’ll go out and have a look about the place. We’ll come in again this afternoon. We’re going to clear you,” he added confidently.

We heard the jailer’s footsteps approaching along the corridor.

“I don’t doubt it,” said Drysdale, with a puzzling listlessness. “It’s very good of you both to take all this trouble.”

The jailer opened the door and we passed out.

“Do you know when the inquest will be?” Godfrey asked, as we stepped through together into the outer room.

“Yes, sir; t’-morrer mornin’. They’d have had it today, but Coroner Heffelbower hopes t’ find th’ necklace by t’-morrer.”

“Oh; so they haven’t found it, then?”