“She gives her word, sir, she never put the skull there.”
“Nor you?”
“Nor I, indeed, sir.”
“H’m! It must be one of those remnants of mortality that provide for themselves, it seems. Anyhow, it is gone now, I presume?”
“I will swear I took it away and locked it up.”
“Very well. Then let us say no more about it. Do you wish to stay on?”
“I wish, sir, with all respect, to do my duty by the place that has so long harboured us.”
“Which means I am not included in the contract, and that you would take service elsewhere if you could get a better.”
The man was protesting, but the other stopped him with a laugh.
“Go your ways,” said he. “I see no reason why you should love me. We will make it a question of duty, and abide by that.”