"Under her pillow, eh?"
"That I can't say; but she will tell you."
"So we reckon. Now look here. Will you take your oath there's not another soul on the premises but you and her?"
The pair within again held their breath. They must be discovered; but the longer they could postpone it the shorter would be their danger. Mrs. Potter's heart was stout, however, and her tongue ready.
"I swear it," she cried, heartily.
"What makes you so cussed sure?"
"Why, it stands to reason. By rights there ought to be four of us. That's with Sam Rowntree and Mr. Engelhardt. Sam's gone off on his own hook somewhere"—Bill chuckled—"but nobody knows where. Mr. Engelhardt's lost, as I told you. So there's nobody left but mistress and me. How could there be?"
"I don't know or care a curse how there could be. I only know that if there is, you'll have a pill to take without opening your mouth for it. About this chap that's lost; you'll take your oath he didn't turn up before you left the station just now?"
"I told you he hadn't, as soon as ever you overtook me."
"You've got to swear it!" said Bill, savagely.