"What do you mean?"
"I was in Devonshire. I had three weeks' leave of absence--I appeal
to Mr. Hunter--Mr. Hunter knows I had three weeks' leave of absence!
I was in Devonshire all the time--I can prove I was in Devonshire!"
Seeing him so abject, so incoherent, so wild with apprehension, the
directors began to whisper gravely among themselves; while one got
quietly up, and called the porter to guard the door.
"What has your being in Devonshire to do with the matter?" said the
chairman. "When were you in Devonshire?"
"Mr. Raikes took his leave in September," said the secretary; "about
the time when Mr. Dwerrihouse disappeared."
"I never even heard that he had disappeared till I came back!"
"That must remain to be proved," said the chairman. "I shall at once
put this matter in the hands of the police. In the mean while, Mr.
Raikes, being myself a magistrate, and used to deal with these cases,
I advise you to offer no resistance, but to confess while confession
may yet do you service.
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