“Not now, son. You stay here, or do what you like. But don’t say much and don’t antagonize anybody.”
“Not me, F. Stone!”
“Well, don’t shock anybody, then. Behave like a gentleman and a scholar.”
“Yessir,” Fibsy ducked a comical bow, and Burdon, understanding he was dismissed, went home.
To the dining-room Stone made his way, and asked a maid there if he might see the cook.
Greatly frightened, the waitress brought the cook to the dining-room.
But the newcomer, a typical, strong-armed, strong-minded individual, was not at all abashed.
“What is it you do be wantin’, sor?” she asked, civilly enough, but a trifle sullenly.
“Only a few answers to direct questions. Where were you when you first heard the alarm of the garage fire?”
“I was in me kitchen, cleanin’ up after dinner.”