Holbrook having got away from Hampshire and come to
London, that's more than I can believe. I worked that business harder and
closer than ever I worked any business yet. You told me to spare neither
money nor time, and I didn't spare either; though it was more a question
of time than money, for my expenses were light enough, as you know. I
don't believe Mrs. Holbrook could have got away from Malsham station up
to the time when I left Hampshire. I'm pretty certain she couldn't have
left the place any other way than by rail; I'm more than certain she
couldn't have been living anywhere in the neighbourhood when I was
hunting for her. In short, it comes to this--I stick to my old opinion,
that the poor lady was drowned in Malsham river."
This was just what Gilbert, happily for his own peace, could not bring
himself to believe. He was ready to confide in Mr. Medler as a model of
truth and honesty, rather than admit the possibility of Marian's death.
"We have this man Medler's positive assertion, that Mrs. Holbrook is with
her father, you see, Mr. Proul," he said doubtfully.
"_That_ for Medler's assertion!" exclaimed the detective contemptuously;
"there are lawyers in London who will assert anything for a
consideration. Let him produce the lady; and if he does produce her, I
give him leave to say that Thomas Henry Proul is incapable of his
business; or, putting it in vulgar English, that T.
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