“Have you any idea, Joshua, what caused the quarrel yesterday afternoon?”
“Well, it mighter started over Hamilton. Marse Philip persuaded Marse James to keep him las’ fall when he was ’bout to discharge him fo’ bein’ impertinent.”
“Did Senator Carew give you a letter to mail yesterday afternoon, or a note to deliver for him?” inquired Douglas thoughtfully.
“No, suh, he did not,” Joshua declared with firmness.
“How long have you been with Senator Carew, Joshua?”
“Most thirty years, suh. I worked fust fo’ his father, der ole Gineral. Ef yo’ doan want me fo’ nuffin’ mo’, gen’man, I reckon I’ll go an’ close up de house fo’ de night.”
“All right, Joshua,” and the butler beat a hasty retreat.
Douglas took out his cigarette case and handed it to Brett. “Formed any new theory?” he asked, striking a match and applying it to the cigarette between his lips.
Brett did not answer at once. “The inquest will make Winthrop and Joshua talk. I am convinced neither of them has told all he knows of this affair,” he said finally.
Douglas nodded in agreement. “But the inquest will have to be postponed now. Winthrop is in no shape to appear before it.”