"One minute, sir," said Atherton. "Mr Tassh spent the night before last on Seal Island."
"But he declared just now that he never slept out of the house during the whole time I was away. Are you sure of this?"
"Well, sir, he pitched a yarn into us that his name was Todd, and that he was a stranger to the place. He couldn't get back to Polkerwyck because it was too rough, and in the morning we gave him some food."
"I won't say anything about your discovery to him at present, Atherton. I'll ask him to bring in some refreshment. In my concern about this robbery I quite overlooked my duties as a host, Mr Buckley."
"Tassh, bring in some sandwiches, cake, lemonade and anything else you think these young gentlemen may fancy," ordered the baronet.
"Yes, sir," replied the butler; and in a few minutes he returned with a loaded tray.
"By the by, Tassh," said Sir Silas in a well-assumed casual tone, "I suppose you have seen these young gentlemen before to-day?"
"Yes, sir. Saw them when they arrived, and again the other day when I called in at the post-office."
"But the night before last?"
"The night before last, sir?" repeated the butler, in a mechanical voice. "I don't understand, sir."