“That I can't tell you, sir.”
“Was there any one with him?”
“That I can't tell you, sir.”
“The devil you can't!” he cried, taking his hand away. “And why not?”
I shook my head, sorely beset.
“Come, Mathews,” cried the gentleman called Lowndes. “We'll search first, and attend to the lad after.”
And so they began going through the house, prying into every cupboard and sweeping under every bed. They even climbed to the attic; and noting the open casement in the cupola, Mr. Lowndes said:—
“Some one has been here to-day.”
“It was I, sir,” I said. “I have been here all day.”
“And what doing, pray?” he demanded.