At that moment a loud knock was heard, which came as a relief to Fletcher.
“That must be Brown,” he said.
“I’ll go and let ’ee in,” said the old man, and turned without a sound.
“That’s a good thing,” thought Fletcher, “but I must warn the constable to keep his mouth shut.”
A sound of steps came along the hall, and Brown came in, dripping wet. “Sorry to have been so long, sir,” he said putting down the bag.
“I am very glad to see you,” said Fletcher, “old Giles let you in, I suppose?”
Brown looked at him in surprise, “Giles? No, the door was open, I forgot we did not fasten it. I left Giles at Stevens’ cottage just now.”
“But, he’s just been here, not a minute ago, I have been talking to him. He came to see who was here.”
“Giles, sir, you must have been mistaken. What was he like?”
“An old, white-haired man, with a white beard.”