'Have you got it?'
'You let me in and then I'll tell you.'
'Don't be an idiot! Tell me, have you got it?'
'I sha'n't tell you nothing till I'm inside.'
'You're an ass! Do you think I want to keep you out?' He fumbled with the lock. 'Confound this key; it's rusty.'
'Your hand ain't steady; that's what's wrong with it.'
'Hang the thing!'
The key dropped with a clatter to the ground.
'You let me have a try at it; perhaps my hand ain't so shaky as yours.'
The man outside picked up the fallen key, thrusting his hand through the railings to enable him to do so. Soon the gate was open. When he had entered he locked it again behind him. The two men went into the house. When they were in the hall Mr Burton repeated his assertion.