quickly, "I can answer that. For good and honest reasons of his own!"
"As his friend and solicitor," remarked Murthwaite, "I say Amen to that! But—why not have given some explanation?"
But it was time for me to step in there.
"Mr. Murthwaite!" I said. "Neither Pawley nor Sir Charles Sperrigoe asked for any explanation! Sperrigoe, of course, never saw Mr. Parslewe; Pawley came here as a mere spy———"
"Yes, yes!" he interrupted. "But what I really mean is, why didn't he give some explanation to you?"
"To me!" I exclaimed. "Why to me?"
"Because you were the only person who knew the—shall we say immediate facts of the case?" he replied. "Evidently, although you have only known each other a few days, he trusts you, Mr. Craye. Why didn't he give you a brief explanation of this seeming mystery instead of stealing away in the night? Why?"
"As I said!" exclaimed Madrasia. "For good reasons—of his own."
