"Any news from the Court of Errors and Appeals?"
Murgatroyd nodded.
"Here's their opinion--just handed down."
"Reversal?"
Murgatroyd shook his head.
"No. Affirmed. By the way, Mixley," he added, "take this carbon copy
over to Thorne, will you? He'll want to see it."
"Shall I tell him?" faltered Mixley.
"Tell him nothing," Murgatroyd replied. "Officially I know nothing of
this other thing. I'll investigate it first, then I can talk to him."
That very day, Thorne, disappointed as he was, sent a copy of the
opinion up to Mrs. Challoner, without comment. Later over the phone he
told her:--
"There is no hope."
But Miriam Challoner was not downcast. She had doubted once; but now she
held to her faith in Murgatroyd; she knew that Murgatroyd would keep his
word. Shirley, though, shook her head. She felt that Challoner was
doomed. But when Thorne told her, she begged him not to tell Challoner
until it was absolutely necessary.
And also on that same day Murgatroyd jumped into a cab and rode off on a
tour of private inspection. Entering a large building he asked:--
"I want to see Jennings, if you please."
The next day he sent for Thorne.
"Before making things public, Thorne," he said, "I wanted you to read
that."
Thorne read with bulging eyes the yellow sheets that were thrust before
him. Over and over again he read them; then he leaned over and touched
Murgatroyd on the arm, saying:--
"Don't make it public."
"Why not?"
"There are political reasons--many of them," pleaded Thorne.
"But it's bound to leak out----"
"Never mind. I don't want it made public." Thorne seemed terribly
uneasy.