"It's not possible
yet; it may become so. But if we can catch Rupert in the next
day, or even in the next two days, it's not impossible. Only let
me have the letter, and I'll account for the concealment. What?
Is the fact that crimes are known never concealed, for fear of
putting the criminal on his guard?"
"You'll be able to make a story, sir," James put in, with a grave
but reassuring air.
"Yes, James, I shall be able to make a story, or your master will
make one for me. But, by God, story or no story, the letter
mustn't be found. Let them say we killed him ourselves if they
like, but.--"
I seized his hand and gripped it.
"You don't doubt I'm with you?" I asked.
"Not for a moment, Fritz," he answered.
"Then how can we do it?"
We drew nearer together; Sapt and I sat, while James leant over
Sapt's chair.
The oil in the lamp was almost exhausted, and the light burnt
very dim. Now and again poor Herbert, for whom our skill could do
nothing, gave a slight moan. I am ashamed to remember how little
we thought of him, but great schemes make the actors in them
careless of humanity; the life of a man goes for nothing against
a point in the game. Except for his groans--and they grew fainter
and less frequen--our voices alone broke the silence of the
little lodge.
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