For, he had been seen by many persons, wandering about on that side of the city--indeed on all sides of it--in a miserable and seemingly half-distracted manner.

As to the choice of the spot, obviously such criminating evidence had better take its chance of being found anywhere, rather than upon himself, or in his possession.

Concerning the reconciliatory nature of the appointed meeting between the two young men, very little could be made of that in young Landless's favour; for it distinctly appeared that the meeting originated, not with him, but with Mr.Crisparkle, and that it had been urged on by Mr.Crisparkle; and who could say how unwillingly, or in what ill-conditioned mood, his enforced pupil had gone to it?
The more his case was looked into, the weaker it became in every point.

Even the broad suggestion that the lost young man had absconded, was rendered additionally improbable on the showing of the young lady from whom he had so lately parted; for; what did she say, with great earnestness and sorrow, when interrogated?
That he had, expressly and enthusiastically, planned with her, that he would await the arrival of her guardian, Mr.Grewgious.

And yet, be it observed, he disappeared before that gentleman appeared.
On the suspicions thus urged and supported, Neville was detained, and re-detained, and the search was pressed on every hand, and Jasper laboured night and day.