Beach lowered his voice. He and the Efficient Baxter were old allies, and it seemed right to Beach to confide in him.
"He has only just joined Mr. Peters, sir; and he has never been in service before. He told me so himself, and I was unable to elicit from him any information as to his antecedents. His manner struck me, sir, as peculiar. It crossed my mind to wonder whether Mr. Peters happened to be aware of this. I should dislike to do any young man an injury; but it might be anyone coming to a gentleman without a character, like this young man. Mr. Peters might have been deceived, sir."
The Efficient Baxter's manner became distraught. His mind was working rapidly.
"Should he be informed, sir?"
"Eh! Who?"
"Mr. Peters, sir—in case he should have been deceived?"
"No, no; Mr. Peters knows his own business."
"Far from me be it to appear officious, sir; but—"
"Mr. Peters probably knows all about him. Tell me, Beach, who was it suggested this visit to the museum? Did you?"
"It was at the young man's express desire that I conducted him, sir."