“To do one’s duty well is praiseworthy,” replied Mr. Haywood. “And now, Barker, I want to ask you a few questions. There is a great deal of mystery surrounding the affair, and the escape of young Conrad will, I am afraid, complicate matters still worse. I want to know if Colonel Conrad seemed to have any important business on hand shortly before his death.”
“Well, sir, I think he did. He was writing all the day before, more especially after you called. He didn’t allow any one to see him or speak to him except when he wanted some little service of me.”
“You were in his room, then? Did you see him writing?”
“Yes, sir; and perhaps I should say that once toward evening he called me and Polly, the kitchen girl, in, and made us sign something.”
“Ah!” Haywood was evidently affected by this information.He was silent for an interval before trusting his voice to speak again. “What was it that you signed?”
“That I couldn’t say, sir. I didn’t read it.”
“Are you sure it was not a receipt for wages he had paid you?”
“No, sir, it was not that. There would be no occasion for Polly’s signing such a receipt with me. And I hope you don’t think I shall be asking for any wages that have been paid once. He might never take a receipt, and I wouldn’t do that.”
“No, no, Barker, I had no such thought. Even if you were disposed to such a course, which I know you are not, I could put you beyond the necessity for it.”
“How, sir?”