"When I heard the cart coming up the avenue, I went to the back door, to have a little gossip.
"'Well Healy,' said I, as he rolled in the barrel of beer; have you heard any news?'
"'No sir,' said he.
"'Nothing about farmer Gould?' I asked.
"'No sir, nothing. Shall I put the beer in the cellar?' he enquired.
"This question being answered, I said, 'Did you meet anybody on the road that night?'
"'Lord, sir, I meet loads of people as I never take any notice of. I've enough to do to mind my own business.'
"'You couldn't have been far off when he was attacked—for you know Mr. Wills says he's been killed by a blow on the back of the head, don't you?'
"'Well, sir, I've heard so; but how should he know? He wasn't there, I suppose. Anything else wanted, sir?'
"'I believe not, Healy,' I said; and he got into his cart and drove away while I went back to the drawing-room.