On the previous evening, Pratt--had he but known it--made a great mistake. Instead of going into Murgatroyd's shop after he had watched Byner and Prydale away from it--he should have followed those two astute and crafty persons, and have ascertained something of their movements. Had he done so, he would certainly not have troubled to return to Peel Row, nor to remain in Barford an hour longer than was absolutely necessary. For Pratt was sharp-witted enough when it came to a question of putting one and two together, and if he had tracked Prydale and the unknown man who was with him to a certain house whereto they repaired as soon as they quitted Murgatroyd's shop, he would have drawn an inference from the mere fact of their visit which would have thrown him into a cold sweat of fear. But Pratt, after all, was only one man, one brain, one body, and could not be in two places, nor go in two ways, at the same time. He took his own way--ignorant of his destruction. Byner also took a way of his own. As soon as he and Prydale left Murgatroyd's shop, they chartered the first cab they met with, and ordered its driver to go to Whitcliffe Moor. "It's the quickest thing to do--if my theory's correct," observed Byner, as they drove along, "Of course, it is all theory--mere theory! But I've grounds for it. The place--the time--mere lonely situation--that scrap iron lying about, which would be so useful in weighting a dead body!--I tell you, I shall be surprised if we don't find Parrawhite at the bottom of that water!" "I shouldn't wonder," agreed Prydale. "One thing's very certain, as we shall prove before we're through with it--Pratt's put that poor devil Murgatroyd up to this passage-to-America business. And a bit clumsily, too--fancy Murgatroyd being no better posted up than to tell me that Parrawhite called on him at a certain hour that night!" "But you've got to remember that Pratt didn't know of Parrawhite's affairs with Pickard, nor that he was at the _Green Man_ at that hour," rejoined Byner. "My belief is that Pratt thinks himself safe--that he fancies he's provided for all contingencies. If things turn out as I think they will, I believe we shall find Pratt calmly seated at his desk tomorrow morning." "Well--if things do turn out as you expect, we'll lose no time in seeking him there!" observed Prydale dryly. "We'd better arrange to get the job done first thing." "This Mr. Shepherd'll make no objection, I suppose?" asked Byner. "Objection! Lor' bless you--he'll love it!" exclaimed Prydale. "It'll be a bit of welcome diversion to a man like him that's naught to do. He'll object none, not he!"