Graham cleared his throat.
“I scarcely know how to suggest this, since it is sufficiently clear, because of Howells’s suspicions, that you have Mr. Blackburn under close observation. But he has a fair idea of Paredes’s habits, his haunts, and his friends in New York. He might be able to learn things the police couldn’t. I’ve one or two matters to take me to town. I would make myself personally responsible for his return—”
The district attorney interrupted.
“I see what you mean. Wait a minute.”
He clasped his hands and rolled his fat thumbs one around the other. The little eyes, surrounded by puffy flesh, became enigmatic. All at once he glanced up with a genial smile.
“Why not? I haven’t said anything about holding Mr. Blackburn as more than a witness.”
His tone chilled Bobby as thor
