Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles

by Mrs. Henry Wood

Sergeants take up words quickly. "That the 'other' wore? Then you do not think it was this one?"

"No, I don't," decided the butcher. "The one who brought the cheque was a shorter man."

"Shorter!" repeated Mr. Ashley, remembering it had been said in his counting-house that the man who appeared to be personating William was thought to have the advantage the other way. "You mean taller, White."

"No, sir, I mean shorter. I am sure he was shorter. Not much, though."

There was a pause. "You observed that his gloves were tan, I think," said the sergeant.

"Something of that sort. Clean light gloves they were, such as gentlemen wear."

"Finally, then, White, you decide that this was not the gentleman?"

"Not he," said the butcher. "It's not the same voice."

"The voice goes for nothing," said Sergeant Delves. "The other one had plums in his mouth."

"Well," said the butcher, "I think I should have known Mr. Halliburton, in spite of any disguise, had he come in."