was passed up by the Clerk, whose deprecating
glances were not lost upon the Chairman. But Mr. Max Fortnaby cut open the
budget in the midst, and peered in.
_"janua vel domina penitus crudelior ipsa"_--he read. It was a footnote.
He lifted his eyebrows--then his eyes upon the accused.
"Propertius? You know Latin?"
"I know some, sir."
He returned to the MS., then again to Glyde.
"You are a bit of a poet, I see."
"Yes, sir. I hope so."
"If it leads you to battery, my young friend--" was his private comment.
To Mr. Bazalguet he whispered, "The fellow's got scholarship. We might
give these back, I think." Mr. Bazalguet was only too happy, and Glyde saw
his offspring returned. Sergeant Weeks, safe in Mr. Fortnaby's good
opinion, scrupulously wrapped and tied them. Mr. Fortnaby said, "Let them
go back to his landlady," and caught the prisoner's eye.
It was now time to ask him whether he had anything to say. Glyde,
perfectly master of himself, said that he pleaded Guilty, but would like
to put a few questions. The Chairman, biting the tips of his fingers,
nodded; and Mr. Fortnaby watched him.
Facing Ingram, who looked always to the Chairman, Glyde asked--"Did you
dismiss your servant, as you put it, before I met you, or afterwards?" All
eyes flew from Glyde to Ingram.
Pages:
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207