"Things look ugly against you, you know, and it would be a terrible business if you got locked up.

It would cost less to square Webster then to bail you out; wouldn't it, Georgie ?" "Rather!" said Georgie.

"Besides, it looks awkward if it gets out that you've been to prison .-- Our 'Firm' oughtn't to get mixed up in that sort of mess." After this, Coote resigned all pretensions to the further direction of his own defence, and left his case unreservedly in the hands of his two honest partners.
They decided that very evening, with or without leave, to go down with the twenty-seven-and-six to Mr Webster.
Dick was the only one of the three who got leave; but his two friends considered the crisis one of such urgency that even without leave they should brave all consequences and accompany him.
Mr Webster was in the act of putting up his shutters when the small careworn procession halted before his door, and requested the favour of an interview.
The bookseller was in a good temper.

He had rather enjoyed the day's adventure, and reckoned that the moral effect of his action would be good.

Besides, the looks of the culprit and his two friends fully justified his suspicions.