"
The Celebrity chafed, for this was as damaging a statement as could well
be uttered against him. But Miss Thorn was his trump card, and she now
came forward.
"This is ridiculous, Mr. Crocker, simply ridiculous," said she.
"I agree with you most heartily, Miss Thorn," I replied.
"Nonsense!" exclaimed Miss Thorn, and she drew her lips together, "pure
nonsense!"
"Nonsense or not, Marian," Mr. Cooke interposed, "we are wasting valuable
time. The police are already on the scent, I'll bet my hat."
"Fenelon!" Mrs. Cooke remonstrated.
"And do you mean to say in soberness, Uncle Fenelon, that you believe the
author of The Sybarites to be a defaulter?" said Miss Thorn.
"It is indeed hard to believe Mr. Allen a criminal," Mr. Trevor broke in
for the first time. "I think it only right that he should be allowed to
clear himself before he is put to further inconvenience, and perhaps
injustice, by any action we may take in the matter."
Mr. Cooke sniffed suspiciously at the word "action."
"What action do you mean?" he demanded.
"Well," replied Mr. Trevor, with some hesitation, "before we take any
steps, that is, notify the police."
"Notify the police!" cried my client, his face red with a generous anger.
"I have never yet turned a guest over to the police," he said proudly,
"and won't, not if I know it. I'm not that kind."
Who shall criticise Mr. Cooke's code of morality?
"Fenelon," said his wife, "you must remember you have never yet
entertained a guest of a larcenous character.
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