“I did not see that much could be gained by saying anything,” said Cook, showing some signs of confusion.
“That’s most interesting,” said Fletcher casually, “what did you pay him in?”
“Well, of course, I do not keep the money here, but I always bank it at Ashstead. When he wanted paying I drew it out.”
“Ah! Then the bank manager would have the number of the notes?”
“Of course, they were five and ten pound notes; he entered them all in his book. I did not keep a record.”
Fletcher felt he was asking too many questions.
“What do you think about it?” he said, leaning back in his chair.
“I believe he was afraid of something. He was always running off abroad, and back again, like a man hunted by something.”
“You mean the Curse?” said Fletcher in irony.
“Exactly,” said Cook gravely.