“I don’t believe it,” retorted Haywood, angrily, rising from the chair in which he was sitting. “I will bid you good-day, Mr. Royalton.”
“Ha, ha!” chuckled the lawyer, when Haywood was gone. “Two points made; I frightened him and provoked him.My dear sir, you mustn’t leave such plain tracks, or the hounds of justice will soon be upon you.”
Haywood left Mr. Royalton’s office in no very amiable mood. But his serene demeanor, when once in the street, betrayed no disquieting emotions.
His next visit was to Elm Grove. After passing a few moments with Florence, uttering well-chosen words of consolation and condolence, he sought Barker, the servant, found him walking idly about the garden, pulling a weed now and then, or removing a stone from a choice flower-bed. He seemed downcast and forlorn.
HE PASSED A FEW MOMENTS WITH FLORENCE, UTTERING WELL-CHOSEN WORDS OF CONDOLENCE.
“Good-morning, Barker,” said Mr. Haywood, joining him in his walk. “This calamity affects you as well as the rest of us. Colonel Conrad was a man we all loved.”
“Yes, sir, that he was,” replied Barker.
“And you have been very faithful and considerate in this time of trouble, Barker.”
“Thank you, sir. I don’t know as I’ve done more than my duty.”