The lank man nodded.
“You’re right, Mr. Robinson. There’ll be no more nonsense about the case. If Howells had made an arrest he might be alive this minute.”
Bobby’s heart sank. These men would act from a primary instinct of revenge. They wanted the man who had killed Silas Blackburn principally because it was certain he had also killed their friend. Rawlins’s words, moreover, suggested that Howells must have telephoned a pretty clear outline of the case. Robinson stared at them insolently.
“This is Doctor Groom, I know. Which is young Mr. Blackburn?”
Bobby stepped forward. The sharp eyes, surrounded by puffy flesh, studied him aggressively. Bobby forced himself to meet that unfriendly gaze. Would Robinson accuse him now, before he had gone into the case for himself? At least he could p
