That afternoon, somebody called to fetch the fair copy for Mr. Ashurst. I went out into the front office to see him. To my surprise, it was Higginson—in his guise as courier.
He was as astonished as myself. 'What, you here!' he cried. 'You dog me!'
'I was thinking the same thing of you, M. le Comte,' I answered, curtsying.
He made no attempt at an excuse. 'Well, I have been sent for the will,' he broke out, curtly.
'And you were sent for the jewel-case,' I retorted. 'No, no, Dr. Fortescue-Langley; I am in charge of the will, and I will take it myself to Mr. Ashurst.'
'I will be even with you yet,' he snapped out. 'I have gone back to my old trade, and am trying to lead an honest life; but you won't let me.'
'On the contrary,' I answered, smiling a polite smile. 'I rejoice to hear it. If you say nothing more against me to your employer, I will not disclose to him what I know about you. But if you slander me, I will. So now we understand one another.'
And I kept the will till I could give it myself into Mr Ashurst's own hands in his rooms that evening.