“Men have been murdered in a case like that and never knew why they were killed,” said Lomas.
“I dare say,” Eddis cried. “It’s all quite possible. But it’s all in the air. I have nothing that I can act upon.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” said Reggie. “You’re so modest.”
“Perhaps I am,” Eddis shrugged. “But I can’t recommend Wilton’s sentence for revision on a provisional hypothesis.”
“Revision be damned,” Reggie cried. “I want him free.”
Eddis stared at him. “But this is fantastic,” he protested.
“Free and cleared. My God, think of the poor beggar in a convict gang because these rascals found him inconvenient. To reduce his sentence is only another wrong. He wants you to give him his life back.”
“It is a hard case,” Eddis sighed. “But what can I do? I can’t clear the man’s character. If we let him out now, he’s a broken man.”
“My dear fellow, I’m saying so,” said Reggie mildly. “There’s also another point. What is it Mr. Witt’s up to that’s so important? I could bear to know that.”
“That’s not my job,” said Eddis with relief. “But you’re still in the air, Fortune. What do you want to do? I must take some action.”
“And that’s very painful to any good official. I sympathize with you. Lomas sympathizes with you more, don’t you, Lomas, old thing? And I’m not sure that you can do any good.” Mr. Fortune relapsed into cigar smoke and meditation.
“The fact is, all the evidence against the man has gone phut,” said Lomas. “It’s deuced awkward, but we have to face it. Better let him out, Eddis.”
Eddis gasped. “My dear Lomas! I really can’t follow you. The only evidence which is proved false is the tobacco, which wasn’t crucial. The rest is open to suspicion, but we can’t say it’s false, and it satisfied the judge and jury. It’s unprecedented to reduce the sentence to nothing in such a case.”
“I’m not thinking of your troubles,” said Lomas. “I want to know what Mr. Witt has up his sleeve.”
Reggie came out of his smoke. “Let Wilton out--have him watched--and see what Witt and Co. get up to. Well, that’s one way. But it’s a gamble.”
“It’s also out of the question,” Eddis announced.
Reggie turned on him. “What exactly are you for, Eddis?” he said. “What is the object of your blessed existence?”