“Assuredly not,” from Jill.
“But,” I insisted, “the two shipwrecked sailors assured Nancy Gray that the lady’s husband had not been on board.”
“Jack,” said Peter, “you’re a capital sailor, but you would have made but a poor lawyer. Depend upon it there are wheels within wheels in the mystery that surrounds poor Mattie.”
“It will be all the better if it is never cleared up,” I said firmly, “and I hope it won’t be—there!”
“Well, I think otherwise. But one of the two men told the clergyman something. Do you know what that was?”
“No, and it didn’t seem to signify.”
“Didn’t it? There again I differ, and if you won’t think me officious, I’m going to probe this matter as deeply as I can.”
“Do as you please, Peter; I only hope you won’t find out—”
“What?”
“Anything disagreeable.”