"There was no need," replied the American. "You have been most impartial."
Evidently not yet satisfied with the results obtained from his preliminary investigations, he turned again to the Englishman, who seemed not a little mystified to find his domestic history so interesting to these lordly foreigners.
"Where is your father buried?" inquired Sobieska courteously.
"Dunno, sir. I was awye when 'e died. Landlidey said as 'ow a strange gent came, buried 'im an' took 'is hinsurance pipers awye with 'im. Sed 'e was the guvnor's brother."
"Did you ever see this uncle?" he asked suavely.
"No, sir. Never knew I 'ad one. Guvnor sed 'e was the only child."
"Did you claim the insurance?"
Carrick paused long before replying. When he spoke again his tone was decidedly hostile.
"What's all this got to do with my bein' a spy? These things about my guvnor an' me are personal matters. I don't see as 'ow I'm bound to answer such questions." His face reddened slowly and then he added impressively, "This much I'll admit to my own discredit, though."
Sobieska bent forward even more closely in anticipation.