“They stayed all night, sir. Next morning they paid me,—though it was little—and went on toward the south.”
“They seemed poor?”
“Yes, sir. The lady’s dress was cheap and faded—and the gentleman’s threadbare.”
“What names did they give?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer, sir.”
Mohun’s brow again contracted.
“Well, go on,” he said, “or rather, go back, Amanda. You say that they remained with you until the morning. Did you not hear some of their conversation—gain some knowledge of whence they came, whither they were going, and what was the object of their journey?”
The woman hesitated, glancing at Mohun. Then she smiled, and shook her head.
“You will get me into trouble, sir,” she said.
“I will not, upon my honor. You have told me enough to enable me to do so, however—why not tell me all? You say you slept in that closet there—so you must have heard them converse. I am entitled to know all—tell me what they said.”