inquiry.

On the other hand, he, Theydon, might be balking the course of justice
by holding his tongue. There was yet a third possibility, one fraught
with personal discredit. Mr. Forbes himself might realize that a
policy of candor offered the only dignified course.

Suppose he was minded to tell the detectives that he was the man who
visited Mrs. Lester shortly before midnight, what would Winter and
Furneaux think of the young gentleman who had actually dined with
Forbes before they took him into their confidence-- who heard with
such righteous indignation how Mrs. Lester met her death-- yet
brazenly concealed the fact that he had just left the house of one
whom they were so anxious to meet and question?

Of course, the radiant vision of Evelyn Forbes intruded on this
well-considered and unemotional analysis; but Theydon resolutely shook
his head.

"No, by Jove!" he communed. "You mustn't make an ass of yourself, my
boy, because a pretty girl was gracious for an hour or so. Be honest
with yourself, old chap! If there were no Evelyn, or if Evelyn were
harelipped and squinted, you wouldn't hesitate a second-- now, would
you?"

Yet he had given a promise. How reconcile an immediate call on
Scotland Yard with the guarantee of secrecy demanded by Forbes? Well,
he must put himself right with Forbes without delay-- tell him
straightforwardly that the bond could not hold. Theydon was no lawyer,
but he was assured that an agreement founded on positive wrong was not