“You have heard of troubles being started by a lie, haven't you?” asked the doctor abruptly.
“Yes, sir—I think so, sir.”
The man was not an Englishman, but he had been trained in the school of English servants. His voice betrayed no surprise.
“Well, did you ever hear of troubles being ended by a lie?”
“Really, sir, I can't say, sir—offhand.”
“Well, it can be done,” said the doctor; “in fact, it has been done.”
The man stood a moment.
“Was that all, sir?”
“No; not quite,” said the master. “Do you remember an Italian pedlar who was here the other day?”
“An Italian pedlar, sir?”