But all that Pratt knew was that there was a possibility of
suspicion--which might materialize eventually, but not immediately.
On the previous evening, Pratt--had he but known it--made a great
mistake. Instead of going into Murgatroyd's shop after he had watched
Byner and Prydale away from it--he should have followed those two astute
and crafty persons, and have ascertained something of their movements.
Had he done so, he would certainly not have troubled to return to Peel
Row, nor to remain in Barford an hour longer than was absolutely
necessary. For Pratt was sharp-witted enough when it came to a question
of putting one and two together, and if he had tracked Prydale and the
unknown man who was with him to a certain house whereto they repaired as
soon as they quitted Murgatroyd's shop, he would have drawn an inference
from the mere fact of their visit which would have thrown him into a
cold sweat of fear. But Pratt, after all, was only one man, one brain,
one body, and could not be in two places, nor go in two ways, at the
same time. He took his own way--ignorant of his destruction.
Byner also took a way of his own. As soon as he and Prydale left
Murgatroyd's shop, they chartered the first cab they met with, and
ordered its driver to go to Whitcliffe Moor.
"It's the quickest thing to do--if my theory's correct," observed Byner,
as they drove along, "Of course, it is all theory--mere theory! But I've
grounds for it.
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