“When he came to the outer door there, and entered in here, did he tell you to wait outside?”
“Yes, sah.”
“You can both go,” said Carpentaria. “Come to me at eight o’clock to-morrow, Pratt, in case I should want you.”
“Yes, sir,” said Pratt. “Yes, sah,” said the Soudanese.
“No, not you,” Carpentaria explained.
“Yes, sah.”
“One moment,” said Carpentaria to the Ethiopian. “Did Mr. Ilam or any other person give you a note to hand to the doorkeeper outside there?” The Soudanese shook his fierce and yet amiable head.
“What!” cried Pratt, addressing him in surprise, “didn’t you come up and give a note to Wiggins and then go away again, and return a second time?” The Soudanese shook his head once more.
“Then there must have been two of ’em, sir,” said Pratt to Carpentaria. “This chap’s honest enough.”
“Me have brother,” said the Soudanese, “same me.”