They were talking together, and did not see me till I was close upon them.

When I greeted them, they stopped all of a sudden.
"The very man!" said Mr.Whitbread.
Then he asked me whether I would come with them to the lodgings of Mr.
Fenwick, for they had something to say to me; and I went with them very willingly, for it appeared to me that perhaps they had heard of the matter which I had found so hard to keep from them.

We said nothing at all on the way; and when we got within, Mr.Whitbread told Mr.Grove to stand at the foot of the stairs that no one might come up without his knowledge.

They bolted the door also, when we were within the chamber.
Then we all sat down.
"Now, Mr.Mallock," said Father Whitbread, "we know all that you know; and why you have been with us so much; and we thank you for your trouble." I said nothing; but I bowed to them a little.

But I knew that I had been of little service as yet.
"It is all out," said the priest, "or will be in a day or two.