He was obstinately silent, because Mr. Crisparkle's
manner directly appealed to him to take some part in the
discussion, and no appeal would move his fixed face. When they
drew near to the city, and it was suggested by the Minor Canon that
they might do well in calling on the Mayor at once, he assented
with a stern nod; but he spake no word until they stood in Mr.
Sapsea's parlour.
Mr. Sapsea being informed by Mr. Crisparkle of the circumstances
under which they desired to make a voluntary statement before him,
Mr. Jasper broke silence by declaring that he placed his whole
reliance, humanly speaking, on Mr. Sapsea's penetration. There was
no conceivable reason why his nephew should have suddenly
absconded, unless Mr. Sapsea could suggest one, and then he would
defer. There was no intelligible likelihood of his having returned
to the river, and been accidentally drowned in the dark, unless it
should appear likely to Mr. Sapsea, and then again he would defer.
He washed his hands as clean as he could of all horrible
suspicions, unless it should appear to Mr. Sapsea that some such
were inseparable from his last companion before his disappearance
(not on good terms with previously), and then, once more, he would
defer. His own state of mind, he being distracted with doubts, and
labouring under dismal apprehensions, was not to be safely trusted;
but Mr. Sapsea's was.
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