Bashwood the younger closed the book, and returned it to the clerk. He descended the vestry steps, with his hands thrust doggedly into his pockets, and with a serious shock inflicted on his professional self-esteem.
The beadle met him under the church wall. He considered for a moment whether it was worth while to spend a shilling in questioning the man, and decided in the affirmative. If they could be traced and overtaken, there might be a chance of seeing the color of Mr. Armadale’s money even yet.
“How long is it,” he asked, “since the first couple married here this morning left the church?”
“About an hour,” said the beadle.
“How did they go away?”
The beadle deferred answering that second question until he had first pocketed his fee.
“You won’t trace them from here, sir,” he said, when he had got his shilling. “They went away on foot.”
“And that is all you know about it?”
“That, sir, is all I know about it.”
Left by himself, even the Detective of the Private Inquiry Office paused for a moment before he returned to his father at the gate. He was roused from his hesitation by the sudden appearance, within the church inclosure, of the driver of the cab.