Pash jumped up and chattered like a baboon in a rage. "Do you mean to accuse me?" he demanded. "Take care--take care."
"Don't excite yourself, Mr. Pash. You'll need all your wits to convince Hurd. Tray accuses you, and Hurd suspects you. I have nothing to do with the matter."
"You put Hurd up to this," foamed Pash, hardly able to speak.
"Pardon me. Hurd is working for the reward offered by your client. Don't you think it was rather foolish of her to offer such a large reward, Mr. Pash, even though she did so to avert suspicion?"
The solicitor changed color again. "I don't understand you."
Paul shrugged his shoulders and rose to go. "Perhaps Mr. Hurd will explain," he said, and made for the door.
Pash, with his monkey face much perplexed, sat hunched in his chair, biting his fingers. As Paul laid his hand on the knob, he called him back. "I can explain," he said nervously.
"I prefer to do so to you," said the lawyer, hurriedly.
"Because I don't think I have acted very well towards Miss Norman, and, as you are to marry her, you may be able to arrange--"
"To make peace I suppose you mean," burst out Beecot; "no, Mr. Pash, you have acted like a scoundrel. You left that poor girl in the lurch as soon as you found that Miss Krill was--as you thought--legally entitled to the money."
"Because you know very well what her age is," retorted Paul. "This matter will be shifted to the bottom, Mr. Pash, by my friend Ford, and if things are as I think they are, Miss Krill won't keep that money. You know very well--"
"Miss Norman won't get the money either," snarled Pash, "I know that very well. Leastways," he added, "without my assistance."
"More of your crooked ways," said Paul, indignantly. "Tell what you like to Hurd. I refuse to listen."
As he spoke he opened the door and found himself facing Hurd who was red and hot. The detective stepped into the office, and as he passed Paul, whispered, "Hold your tongue about the boy," then he turned to Mr. Pash. "Well, sir," he puffed, "I have had a job catching up Mr. Beecot. No doubt you know why I have come?"
"No," said Pash, dryly; "I don't see Tray."
"Tray will keep. I've got him safe under lock and key. Before bringing you face to face with him I thought it best to give you an opportunity of clearing yourself."