"Didn't you put it into your pocket, by mistake?" suggested Jaspar.
"Certainly not," replied Dalhousie; "here it is;" and, picking up the key, he handed it to Jaspar. "I was certain I left it here."
Jaspar felt much relieved.
"Sorry to have troubled you," said he, "but I wanted a paper—" and he rose and opened the drawer, as if in quest of it.
"No trouble at all," returned the overseer. "Now that I am here, a few words with you would be particularly agreeable to me."
Jaspar's curiosity was instantly excited, and, forgetting the paper and De Guy, he requested him to proceed immediately with his business.
"It is a matter of much interest to both of us," continued Dalhousie, embarrassed by the difficulties of his position.
"Well, sir, go on," said Jaspar, impatiently, for the overseer's hesitation had rather a bad odor.
"I may as well speak bluntly and to the point," stammered Dalhousie, still reluctant to state his business.
"Why don't you? I am not a sentimental girl, that you need make a long preface to your oration."