Mr. Burley’s relief and satisfaction were visible on his face.
“I presume that a record was kept of such deposits?” he asked.
“Yes, from the first,” the factor answered. “It was done in a business-like way. Every man who left a trunk or a box here was given a receipt. Then his name was entered in a book and numbered, and his number was marked on his property.”
“And that book?”
“A new one was started a few years ago,” replied Macdonald. “The first one went to pieces with age, and had to be put aside.”
“And what became of it?” the law clerk cried eagerly. “It was not lost?”
“Lost? Of course not, sir. I have it stored away in some place.”
“Ah, that is fortunate! I beg you to produce it, Mr. Macdonald. It will be very easy to ascertain if I am right or wrong. If Osmund Maiden passed through Fort Garry, and left any luggage behind him, his name will appear in the record.”
“Quite true,” assented the factor; “but I am sorry that I can’t—”
He stopped suddenly, and put his head to one side.