"I hope I ain't in the way, gentlemen," he said, respectfully; "I came from Wardour with a message for Miss Constance. It's from the old lady, and as I see the carriages are coming and the hearse, I just thought I'd wait till the funeral was gone before I intruded."
"Oh!" said the coachman, more graciously. "Well, you won't have long to wait, then; the time's about up, and Mr. Lamotte is never behind time." Then he turned to Mr. Belknap.
"You must keep a close eye over the off one," he said; "he's full of Cain; and I say, what a lucky thing it is that your clothes are dark, and that Mrs. Lamotte won't let us wear full liveries."
"Why, yes, it's very lucky, that's so; just throw over those reins, will you. Don't be uneasy in your mind about that horse; I'll drive 'em safe enough; just you tell me when to start."
Ten minutes later, all that remained of John Burrill was borne out in its costly casket and placed in the splendid hearse at the door.
Just as he was about to cross his own threshold, Jasper Lamotte was confronted by a young man who pressed into his hand a slip of paper, and whispered in his ear:
"Read it at once, sir; it's of vital importance to you."
Stifling an exclamation, Jasper Lamotte unfolded and glanced at the slip of paper. It contained these words:
The man who will drive your carriage is a cursed New York detective, who has bribed your coachman.
Don't give him the opportunity he hopes to gain for watching and listening to yourself and son.