"
"Morton again! Why, the old man seems to be becoming a _factotum_ in his
declining years--he whose duties have always been so few, so simple! I
am provoked, for some reasons, that he should have been sent away
to-day. Fortunately, I bolted the pantry-door myself, before I came to
bed last night," I murmured, "and the front door is self-fastening. The
house was well secured, at least, by night."
"How long did Morton remain absent?" I asked, recommencing my system of
cross-questions, very abruptly.
"About an hour, I believe; but what makes you so particular, all at
once, Miss Miriam?"
"Some day you shall know, perhaps. In the mean while tell me, has Mr.
Bainrothe been here to-day?"
"He called about one o'clock, but, as all were poorly, went away again
without entering the house at all. I saw him go down-street, after
dinner, in his phaeton, with another gentleman, and have not heard
wheels since."
"You are sure he was not here, this morning--while--while Morton was
absent?"
"Quite sure; he breakfasted later than usual, I think, for I saw him
throw open his side bedroom window at nine o'clock, and he was in his
shirt-sleeves then. He sleeps in a large room in the ell, you know. I
was standing at the pantry-door, and saw him distinctly, and he nodded
to me, and called something, but I could not hear what it was at that
distance.
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