"What did you say?" demanded Mr. Boyd, upon whom no movement on the part of his servant, however slight, was lost.
"I was going to say that the postman was no business of mine."
"You are getting too clever, Abel Death--too clever, too clever! The men I employ must do their work without spying, without blabbing, without lying."
"You have never found me unfaithful."
"I have only your word for it. When did you know me take a man's word?"
"Never, sir."
"And you never will. So--you did not go down to the postman when he knocked?"
"No, sir."
"And you have not been out of the house during my absence?"
"No, sir."