I am in some doubt whether it
is more fitly told here, or when I come to the interview between him and
me; on the whole, however, I suppose chronological order is least
outraged by dealing with it here.
As soon as the Professors had signed the second depositions, George said,
"I have not yet held up my hands, but I will hold them up if Mrs. Humdrum
and Dr. Downie will approve of what I propose. Their compromise does not
go far enough, for swear as we may, it is sure to get noised abroad, with
the usual exaggerations, that the Sunchild has been here, and that he has
been spirited away either by us, or by the sun his father. For one
person whom we know of as having identified him, there will be five, of
whom we know nothing, and whom we cannot square. Reports will reach the
King sooner or later, and I shall be sent for. Meanwhile the Professors
will be living in fear of intrigue on my part, and I, however
unreasonably, shall fear the like on theirs. This should not be. I
mean, therefore, on the day following my return from escorting the
prisoner, to set out for the capital, see the King, and make a clean
breast of the whole matter. To this end I must have the nuggets, the
prisoner's kit, his receipt, Professor Hanky's handkerchief, and, of
course, the two depositions just sworn to by the Professors.
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