Volume Ii Part 53 (1/2)

WISTER. Sorry to disturb you, sir. A clerk you had here, two years and a half ago: I arrested him in, this room.

JAMES. What about him?

WISTER. I thought perhaps I might get his whereabouts from you.

[There is an awkward silence]

c.o.kESON. [Pleasantly, coming to the rescue] We're not responsible for his movements; you know that.

JAMES. What do you want with him?

WISTER. He's failed to report himself this last four weeks.

WALTER. How d'you mean?

WISTER. Ticket-of-leave won't be up for another six months, sir.

WALTER. Has he to keep in touch with the police till then?

WISTER. We're bound to know where he sleeps every night. I dare say we shouldn't interfere, sir, even though he hasn't reported himself.

But we've just heard there's a serious matter of obtaining employment with a forged reference. What with the two things together--we must have him.

Again there is silence. WALTER and c.o.kESON steal glances at JAMES, who stands staring steadily at the detective.

c.o.kESON. [Expansively] We're very busy at the moment. If you could make it convenient to call again we might be able to tell you then.

JAMES. [Decisively] I'm a servant of the Law, but I dislike peaching. In fact, I can't do such a thing. If you want him you must find him without us.

As he speaks his eye falls on FALDER'S cap, still lying on the table, and his face contracts.

WISTER. [Noting the gesture--quietly] Very good, sir. I ought to warn you that, having broken the terms of his licence, he's still a convict, and sheltering a convict.

JAMES. I shelter no one. But you mustn't come here and ask questions which it's not my business to answer.

WISTER. [Dryly] I won't trouble you further then, gentlemen.

c.o.kESON. I'm sorry we couldn't give you the information. You quite understand, don't you? Good-morning!

WISTER turns to go, but instead of going to the door of the outer office he goes to the door of the clerks' room.

c.o.kESON. The other door.... the other door!

WISTER opens the clerks' door. RUTHS's voice is heard: ”Oh, do!” and FALDER'S: ”I can't!” There is a little pause; then, with sharp fright, RUTH says: ”Who's that?”

WISTER has gone in.

The three men look aghast at the door.

WISTER [From within] Keep back, please!