“I fancy I heard a shout yonder—off by the gates,” he added. “Did you hear anything, Carew?”
“No.” I replied; “it must have been the wind.”
Macdonald turned to the law clerk.
“I was about to remark,” he continued, “that I can’t put my hands on the record-book to-night. But I will search for it to-morrow morning, and give you the satisfaction of examining the entries.”
“You are very kind, sir,” replied Christopher Burley. “And I trust I shall find——”
He was interrupted by a quick, imperative rap on the door.
“Come in!” cried Macdonald.
At the summons a clerk entered, holding a sealed envelope in his hand.
“From the settlement,” he said. “Very urgent, sir! It came by messenger a moment ago.”
The factor silently opened the envelope, drew out a letter and glanced over it briefly. Then his deep-sunken eyes flashed with rage.