صفحة 244 من 657

"Why did you come to me?" he said, "and, above all, why did you

not come at once?"

"I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major

Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to

you."

"It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have

acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than

that which you have placed before us-no suggestive detail which

might help us?"