Instead of going in as usual before me, he waited till I had entered,
and then followed me, closing the door behind him.
What on earth does it all mean?
Mr Barnacle sat looking straight before him through his spectacles.
Hawkesbury also sat at the table, twisting a quill pen backwards and
forwards with his fingers.
"Hawkesbury," said Mr Merrett, as he re-entered, "you might leave us,
please. I will call you when you are wanted."
Hawkesbury, without looking at me, rose to obey. As he reached the
door, Mr Merrett stepped after him, and whispered something. At
ordinary times I should not have heard what he whispered, or thought of
listening for it. But there was such a silence in the room, and my
nerves were strung up to such a pitch, that I distinctly caught the
words.