Pinnock
whistled to himself as he tied the bundle up again. "Case of settle
or be sorry," he said to himself. "I wonder how much will settle
it?"
When he faced Blake again, he had pulled the mask of professional
stolidity over his features; also he lied boldly.
"I can see nothing to corroborate this story," he said; "but it
may be that Miss Grant would rather pay a few pounds than have the
unpleasantness of a trial. I will get her in and ask her if you
like, but I don't think it will lead to anything."
They were holding their conference in the office. Outside, the
station was dozing in the sun. The house dog slept in the yard,
and a stray wild pigeon had come down into the quadrangle, and was
picking at some grain that was spilt there. From the garden came
the shouts of the children and the happy laughter of Mary Grant.
"There she is now," said Pinnock. "Hadn't I better get her to come
in and get the thing over?"
He went out, and came back very soon. "Mrs. Gordon and Miss Grant
are coming," he said. "She said she would like Mrs. Gordon to be
with her."
Before long they came in and sat down. Mary Grant had no idea what
she was wanted for. She greeted Blake with a glad smile, and waited
to hear what Pinnock had to say. It did not take the lawyer long
to put the story before her: but it was some time before she could
understand it.
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