‘Was.’

’Yes, I heard what you said a few moments ago.  Was a client of yours.  I am sure, therefore, that no one knows better than you that Ravengar is not an honest man.  On the other hand, I am equally sure that on the few occasions when you and I have met I must have impressed you as a comparatively honest man.  Is it not so?  I speak without false modesty.  Is it not so?’

Polycarp nodded.

‘Well, then,’ proceeded Hugo, walking slowly about, ’you will probably need no convincing that in any difficulty between me and Ravengar I am in the right.  Now, there have been, and are, matters between Ravengar and me in which others had best not interfere, even indirectly.  I shall end those matters in my own way, because I am the strongest, and because my hands are clean.  I can give you no details.  But let me tell you that once the whole of my life’s dream was in this flat, this flat which you have legally closed, and I have illegally opened.  Let me tell you that my life, the only part of my life for which I cared, came to an end in this flat some months ago:  and that a mystery hangs over that event which has lately made intolerable even the dead-alive existence which Fate had left to me.  Let me tell you that circumstances have arisen this very day which rendered it impossible for me to keep myself out of this flat, be the penalty what it might.  And, finally, let me make my appeal to you.’

‘What do you want?’ asked Polycarp quietly.  The sincerity of Hugo’s emotion had touched him.  ‘Don’t ask me to act contrary to my duty.’

‘But that is just what I shall ask!’ Hugo exclaimed.  ’Leave me.  Leave me till to-morrow:  that is my sole wish.  What is your duty, after all?  Tudor is dead.  He is beyond the reach of harm.  He requires the protection of no lawyer.  Trust me, and leave me.  I am an honest man.  Forget your law, forget your parchments, forget the conventions of society, forget everything except that you are human, and can do a service to a fellow-creature.  Exercise some imagination, and see how artificial and absurd is the world of ideas in which you live.  Listen to your heart, and help me.  I am worth it.  Can’t you see how I suffer?  To-day I have been through as much as I can stand.  I am at the end of my forces, and I must have sympathy.  You will be guilty of deliberate neglect of duty in leaving me here, but I implore you to leave me.  And I give no specific reason why you should.  Will you?’

There was a silence.

‘Yes,’ said Polycarp.

‘I thank you.’

‘I don’t know why I should consent,’ Polycarp continued, ’but I do.  I am quite in the dark.  Legally, I am a disgrace to my profession.  I forfeit my professional honour.  But I will consent.  Do what you like.  Go out as you came in and leave no trace.  If, however—­’

‘Don’t trouble to say that,’ Hugo interrupted him.  ’I shall take no unfair advantage of your generosity.  The flat and all its contents are absolutely safe in my hands.  And if you should decide, in the future, that I must accept the consequences of to-night’s work, I shall not shuffle.  All I want is to be left alone now.’