Cl--"
"One moment!" Cleek held up a silencing hand as the name almost escaped
Merriton's lips. "Officer, I'm from Scotland Yard. I'd like a word with
the prisoner alone, if you don't mind, before you take him away. I'll
answer for his safety, I promise.... Keep your heart up, boy; I've not
done yet!" This in a low-pitched voice, as the two men dropped away from
either side. "I've not done by a long shot. But evidence has been so
confoundly against you. I'd hopes of that I.O.U., but the whole thing was
so simply explained--and there were the proofs, you know. Still, there
was no telling how the story would come out. But it was so obviously
true.... Only, keep up your heart, lad; that's what I wanted to tell you.
I'd swear on my oath you weren't guilty. And I'll prove it yet!"
Something like a sob broke in Merriton's voice. He held out an impetuous
hand.
"I'm sorry, sir," he said jerkily, "but it's a devilish ordeal. What a
life I've led this past week! If you only knew--could only realize! It
tears a man's nerves to atoms.
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