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have it for me.'
'No, no, Gid--no, no, I thought you might. I will have no hand in the
thing. On reflection, it's highly undesirable that either I or Miss
Hazeltine should linger here. We might be observed,' said the
president, looking up and down the river; 'and in my public position
the consequences would be painful for the party. And, at any rate, it's
dinner-time.'
'
What?' cried Gideon, plunging for his watch. 'And so it is! Great
heaven, the piano should have been here hours ago!'
Mr Bloomfield was clambering back into his boat; but at these words he
paused.
'I saw it arrive myself at the station; I hired a carrier man; he had a
round to make, but he was to be here by four at the latest,' cried the
barrister. 'No doubt the piano is open, and the body found.'
'You must fly at once,' cried Mr Bloomfield, 'it's the only manly step.'
'But suppose it's all right?' wailed Gideon. 'Suppose the piano comes,
and I am not here to receive it? I shall have hanged myself by my
cowardice. No, Uncle Ned, enquiries must be made in Padwick; I dare
not go, of course; but you may--you could hang about the police office,
don't you see?'
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