"All werry good," said Mr. Brill, "but I guess the Lord needs an instrument to carry out that text." He spat on his hands and added slowly, "I'm that instrument!"
"Had my father any enemies that you know of, Joe?"
"No, miss, not that I knowed of. He had rows, as a man should, had the Cap'n, but I don't know any swab as 'ud have stolen his corpse."
"And murdered Dr. Warrender," said Alan, who was watching the man.
"As you say, sir," replied the sailor calmly, "and murdered Dr. Warrender. No, I can't rightly call any one to mind."
"Did you know the Quiet Gentleman, Joe?"
"I did not, miss. Brown he called hisself--leastways, Mrs. Marry told me so, for Brown had no tongue. I tried to pass the time o' day, meeting him friendly like on the road, but he only put his hand to his mouth and shook his white head. I don't know nothing about him."
"Do you know a tramp named Cicero Gramp?" asked Alan, after a pause.
"Well, I did in a way." Joe drew his huge hand across his mouth, and seemed to be considering his reply. "In this way, sir. He comed here to the kitchen and put 'em all wrong with his lies. I kicked him out--leastways, I giv 'im something to take 'imself orf."
"What did he come here for?"