“Even the worst?”
“Even the worst.”
Louise sank back, and the old man descended to the coffee-room, to find Parkins impatiently walking up and down.
“Well?”
“No, sir; no luck yet,” said that officer.
“What do you mean with your no luck?” cried Uncle Luke angrily. “You don’t suppose I want him found?”
“Perhaps not, sir, but I do. I never like to undertake a job without carrying it through, and I feel over this that I have been regularly tricked.”
“What’s that to me, sir?”
“Nothing, sir; but to a man in my position, with his character as a keen officer at stake, a great deal. Mr Leslie, sir. Has he been back?”
“There, once for all, it’s of no use for you to come and question me, Parkins. I engaged you to track out my niece; you have succeeded, and you may draw what I promised you, and five-and-twenty guineas besides for the sharp way in which you carried it out. You have done your task, and I discharge you. I belong to the enemy now.”