As it was, silence might have been better
tactics. But Mr Fadge knew that his enemy would smart under the
poisoned pin-points, and that was something gained.
On the day that The Current appeared, its treatment of Alfred
Yule was discussed in Mr Jedwood's private office. Mr Quarmby,
who had intimate relations with the publisher, happened to look
in just as a young man (one of Mr Jedwood's 'readers') was
expressing a doubt whether Fadge himself was the author of the
review.
'But there's Fadge's thumb-mark all down the page,' cried Mr
Quarmby.
'He inspired the thing, of course; but I rather think it was
written by that fellow Milvain.'
'Think so?' asked the publisher.
'Well, I know with certainty that the notice of Markland's novel
is his writing, and I have reasons for suspecting that he did
Yule's book as well.'
'Smart youngster, that,' remarked Mr Jedwood. 'Who is he, by-the-
bye?'
'Somebody's illegitimate son, I believe,' replied the source of
trustworthy information, with a laugh. 'Denham says he met him in
New York a year or two ago, under another name.
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