“I don’t know, of course, what you propose to tell,” said Daunt as the other paused, “but as your legal adviser I should warn you to be very careful of what you say to anyone. If you care to tell your story to me, I shall be pleased to advise you as to what, if any of it, should be made public.”
“I suppose that would be wisest,” Austin returned, “but I have quite made up my mind. From the first I decided to tell all I knew if the secret of my parentage came out. That was the only reason for my silence. Indeed, I was coming to the conclusion I must tell in any case, even if I myself had to reveal it. I appreciate your offer and under other circumstances would gladly avail myself of your advice, but whatever the consequences, I am going to tell. But I by no means wish the affair to be made public. I want most of all to tell Miss Drew, I would like to tell you, and I must tell Tanner. If you will help me by making this possible, I will be forever your debtor. One other thing, I should like Cosgrove to know my decision. It is only due to him. Can you arrange these matters?”
“I think so. But I cannot but feel you may be making a mistake in not first taking, I don’t say my advice, but the advice of some legal man. I cannot move you on that point?”
“My dear fellow,” said Austin warmly, “there is no one whose advice I would take more readily than yours. But in this case we need not discuss it. If you will not help me to the interview I want, I will send for Tanner and tell him here.”
Daunt saw there was no more to be said. He waited till Austin had written his reply to Lois—a lengthy and complicated proceeding—then, promising he would see Tanner without delay, he left the cell.
Inspector Tanner was keenly interested by the news.
“At last!” he exclaimed in a satisfied tone. “We shall get the truth this time. He’s getting frightened. He’ll not bluff us any more.”
“I don’t see that you’ve any right to say that,” Daunt returned hotly. “It will be time enough to accuse him of lying when you hear what he has to say.”
Tanner smiled.
“Very good, Mr. Daunt. I’ll not say a word—till then.”
It was arranged that the proceedings of that morning should be repeated next day. Austin would be brought to Scotland Yard, and there in the presence of Lois, Daunt, Tanner, and a stenographer, he could make his statement.
At next day Lois and Jimmy Daunt drove up to the Yard, and were shown without delay to Tanner’s room. There they met the Inspector and his Chief, Mr. Edgar, who had expressed a wish to be present on this occasion also. At the desk was a shorthand writer.
It was cool in the grey walled room. The open window allowed a current of fresh air to flow gently in, carrying with it the subdued hum of the great city without. In the sunny courtyard the sparrows were twittering angrily, while a bluebottle buzzed endlessly up and down the window pane. The little group, after the first brief greetings, sat silent. Expectancy showed on every face, but whereas Tanner’s and the Chief Inspector’s also indicated satisfaction, uneasiness was marked on Daunt’s and positive apprehension on Lois’s. To her at least, the coming meeting with her lover was obviously no light ordeal. On it, as was evident to them all, largely depended the future happiness of both.
They had not waited long before a knock came to the door and a sergeant of police admitted Austin Ponson. The young man was dressed in a suit of navy blue, and bore himself quietly and with some dignity. In the bright light of the room the lines of suffering showed more clearly on his face, and his eyes looked still more weary.
Instantly on entering they swept over those present, fixing themselves immediately on Lois. In spite of an evident effort for self control, the light of an absolute adoration shone in them for a moment, then he withdrew them, bowed generally to the company, and sat down.
But this was not enough for Lois. She sprang to her feet, and going over to him, held out her hand. He rose and clasped it, and though neither would trust themselves to speak, they saw that in each other’s eyes which satisfied them.
Tanner with some delicacy busied himself for a few moments in giving directions to the stenographer, then turning to the others, he spoke.
“I don’t think it is necessary, Miss Drew and gentlemen, for me to explain our presence here. Last night Mr. Daunt intimated to me that Mr. Ponson had a communication to make, at which he wished Miss Drew, Mr. Daunt, and myself to be present. This meeting has therefore been arranged. I have only to make known to you, Mr. Ponson, Chief Inspector Edgar”—he indicated his colleague—“and to ask you to proceed with your statement. It is, of course, understood by you that you make it voluntarily and that it may be used against you?”
“I understand that right enough, Inspector,” began Austin, “and I wish to say I have no quarrel with your treatment of me. You have been fair all through.”
He paused, settled himself more comfortably in his chair, and went on:
“The only thing I should like to ask is whether my cousin, Cosgrove, has been told that I am going to make this statement?”
“He has been told,” Tanner answered.
“And may I learn if he was satisfied?”
“He seemed so.”
“Thank you. I am not quite sure how much of my story you
