igently.

"One moment, Mr.--Mr. Weldon, I think? What business did you say you
were discussing with my poor friend?"

Mr. Fayles took a quick step and grasped his colleague's arm.

"For God's sake, Webb," he muttered huskily, "look at us! Where are
we? What's to be done? They've sent for the body by now."

Potter seized the other arm.

"Will you tell me what all this means, Webb?" he blustered, "what's the
matter with Joe Fayles? Is it possible that--is anything----"

Webb's lids lifted and the snake-like swiftness of his glance at Fayles
was not lost on the others.

"If Mr. Fayles," he began slowly, "has occupied himself in spreading
the disquiet he has endured since he discovered (and imparted to me)
the fact that my poor friend here carried a revolver about with him, he
has done a mighty foolish job. That's all I have to say."

Even Dupont was alarmed now. It was with a grim amusement that Weldon
watched them all. Dupont suspected Potter, was staring malevolently at
him and chewing his slight moustache nervously. Potter never took his
eyes from Fayles, whose clutch on Webb was the anguished clutch of the
drowning man that has caught at sea-weeds. They seemed to Weldon like
actors in a play, and he was the spectator. He observed them from his
red plush seat, almost despising them for the entertainment they gave
him. How absurd they were, with their dead president and their
suspicions. They were mad to get at the pockets--he knew! But they
hadn't the nerve. And Webb, crafty old Webb, was holding them in like
dogs on a leash.

"Did he really carry a pistol?" he said gently, "let's see."

He leaned over the body.

"I wonder why he wanted the pistol pocket?" he went on casually, "any
idea, Mr. Weldon?"

A tiny, fine chill tingled at Weldon's heels and flew up to his hair.
He had a sudden flashing sense of being in a net that was softly
tightening. In an agony of regret he wished that he had not that sheaf
of "memoranda, etc." It was suddenly clear to him that he had stolen
them.

"I have no idea, sir," his tongue answered stolidly.

"No, ... of course not," said Mr. Webb thoughtfully. "Well, gentlemen,
I can't see the need for any more discussion. This is very
deplorable--a great shock. He was very methodical and no doubt
everything is in easy shape...."

They drew close to him and Weldon, though he caught the murmur of
voices, distinguished nothing but the steady notes of the clock: