Miss Perkins pricked up her ears.
"You know all about that, of course," said George, warming up to the subject, and watching the door of the cupboard out of the tail of his eye.
"No," said Miss Perkins astonished, "what was that?"
"Why, you see," said George, "it was this way."
He paused to relight his cigar, and carefully noted the brawny fist that came slowly out of the cupboard and shook in his direction.
"When Old Fairbrother died——" began George.
The cupboard door creaked. Miss Perkins heard it, but was too excited to take any notice.
George began again. "When Old Fairbrother died, he left——"
An audible rustling now came from the cupboard.
"What's that?" said Miss Perkins. "I heard something."