At that Theydon laughed dolefully, and, as it happened, Bates's grim
humor prevented him from ascertaining the exact nature of Furneaux's
pertinacity. Moreover, the time was passing. At 7:15 Theydon called a
taxi and was carried swiftly to Mr. Forbes's house in Belgravia, while
Bates disposed himself and the dressing case on top of a northbound
omnibus.

The mere change of clothing, aided by the stimulant, had cleared
Theydon's faculties. Though he would gladly have foregone the dinner,
he realized that it was not a bad thing that he should be forced, as
it were, to wrench his thoughts from the nightmare of a crime with
which such a man as "Evelyn's" father might be associated, even
innocently.

At any rate, he was given some hours to marshal his forces for the
discussion with the representatives of Scotland Yard. He knew well
that he must then face the dilemma boldly. Two courses were open. He
could either share Bates's scanty knowledge, no more and no less, or
avow his ampler observations. And why should he adopt the first of
these alternatives? Was he not bringing himself practically within the
law?

Why should any man be shielded, no matter what his social position or
how beautiful his daughter, who might possibly have caused the death
of the pleasant-mannered and ladylike woman fated now to remain for
ever a tragic ghost in the memory of one who had dwelt under the same
roof with her for five months?

It was a thorny problem, yet it permitted of only one solution. Duty