“Have they taken any one?”
“No, sir,” said the old man sadly.
“Hah! That’s bad. Who was it?”
“Well, sir, you know of course.”
“I? No!”
“You don’t know, sir?”
“I have no idea, Crampton. I heard a noise, and went in and surprised the scoundrel, but it was quite dark, and as I tried to seize him I was struck down.”
“And you mean to assure me, sir, that you don’t know who it was?”
“I have not the most remote idea.”
“Well then, sir, I must tell you it was him who had been robbing you ever since the first day he came to us.”