"Things are looking in a very bad way for you, Mr. Mallalieu," he whispered, when he was closeted with Mallalieu in the little room which the captive now hated fiercely and loathingly. "They look in a very bad way indeed, sir! If you were in any other hands than ours, Mr. Mallalieu, I don't know what you'd do. We're running the most fearful risks on your behalf, we are indeed. Things is--dismal!"
Mallalieu's temper, never too good, and all the worse for his enforced confinement, blazed up.
"Hang it! why don't you speak out plain?" he snarled. "Say what you mean, and be done with it! What's up now, like? Things are no worse than they were, I reckon."
Christopher slowly drew off one of the black kid gloves, and blew into it before laying it on the table.
"No need to use strong language, Mr. Mallalieu," he said deprecatingly, as he calmly proceeded to divest the other hand. "No need at all, sir--between friends and gentlemen, Mr. Mallalieu!--things are a lot worse. The coroner's jury has returned a verdict of wilful murder--against you!"
Mallalieu's big face turned of a queer grey hue--that word murder was particularly distasteful to him.
"Against me!" he muttered. "Why me particularly? There were two of us charged. What about Cotherstone?"
"I'm talking about the inquest" said Christopher. "They don't charge anybody at inquests--they only inquire in general. The verdict's against you, and you only. And--it was Cotherstone's evidence that did it!"
"Cotherstone!" exclaimed Mallalieu. "Evidence against me! He's a liar if----"
"I'll tell you--all in due order," interrupted Chris. "Be calm, Mr. Mallalieu, and listen--be judicial."
But in spite of this exhortation, Mallalieu fumed and fretted, and when Christopher had told him everything he looked as if it only required a little resolution on his part to force himself to action.
"I've a good mind to go straight out o' this place and straight down to the police!" he growled. "I have indeed!--a great mind to go and give myself up, and have things proved."
"Do!" said Christopher, heartily. "I wish you would, sir. It 'ud save me and my poor aunt a world of trouble. Only--it's my duty as a duly qualified solicitor of the High Court to inform you that every step you take from this haven of refuge will be a step towards the--gallows!"