“Sir,” said Mr. Green, “I am an honest and upright man. I don’t think I am wrong; but if you can show me that I am wrong, I am the man to confess so, and to make every reparation in my power.”
“No doubt, sir; but you must pardon my caution. Gentlemen when surprised are not always so discreet as on ordinary occasions; and it must be an unpleasant thing to feel that you have been made a party to the punishment of an innocent person for a thief’s crime.”
Mr. Green had before this seriously looked at the possibility of its turning out that his servant had been injured by him. He had comforted himself by the notion that, as he had acted bonâ fide, no great blame could attach to him; and if such discovery were made, he had determined to pursue the honourable course of restoring the injured girl, as far as he could, to her place in society. He assured me again of that fact.
“Then,” I continued, “you will place yourself entirely in my hands pending this investigation. I shall ask you to let me search this house from top to bottom, and in every nook and cranny.”
Mr. Green scarcely liked that. I somewhat surprised him, and threw him for a moment in embarrassment.
“I hardly think that necessary,” he said.
“I do,” I said; “and you know I have had much experience. I am afraid that time enough has been already given for the destruction of some traces of guilt; but I am sure that every hour facilitates the destruction of others.”
“As you will, then, sir,” said the merchant.
“Then I will again ask you to fortify yourself against the discovery of any thing surprising; to act with reserve; and I would implore you not to get up a scene in my presence. If the lad or your other female servant should, as the result of my investigations, be hunted down this evening, I shall ask you to take no steps for his or her punishment, or until you have had time for reflection. In the mean time, I will take care of the proofs.”
“Be it so, then, sir.”