"You saw him?" I cross-examined.
"Yes. The carriage was waiting, and he seemed in a great hurry, though he did run back to take a letter from the table there."
I was standing between the table and the maid.
"Well, of course you're right," I said, carelessly, and at that moment I put my hand on the letter. I turned my back and put it in my pocket.
I went hurriedly to the barn. The runabout trap and the mare were out. Then I finished dressing, and had breakfast. Soon after, William drove into the yard, and I called from the library window—"Where have you been?"
"Just to the station, sir."
"What for? Has my freight arrived?"
"Mr. Hurn, for the 11.10,"—he explained respectfully.
"Ah, yes!" I cried, in an overvoice; "I keep forgetting that I have just waked up. You saw him off? Ah—did he leave any message for me? I overslept, and did not see him this morning."