The chambermaid who brought the candles asked if he had dined.
"Yes," he said, "I dined five hours ago. Bring me some brandy."
The girl brought a small decanter of spirit and a wine-glass, set them on the table, and left the room. Joseph Wilmot followed her to the door, and turned the key in the lock.
"I don't want any intruders," he muttered; "these country people are always inquisitive."
He seated himself at the table, poured out a glass of brandy, drank it, and then drew one of the candles towards him.
He had put the money, the keys, and the memorandum-book, in one of his own pockets. He took out the memorandum-book first, and examined it. There were five Bank of England notes for five pounds each in one of the pockets, and a letter in the other.
The letter was directed to Henry Dunbar, and sealed with the official seal of the banking-house. The name of Stephen Balderby was written on the left-hand lower corner of the envelope.
"So, so," whispered Joseph Wilmot, "this is the junior partner's letter of welcome to his chief. I'll take care of that."
He replaced the letter in the pocket of the memorandum-book, and then looked at the pencil entries on the different pages.
The last entry was the only memorandum that had any interest for him.