Page 68 (1/2)

"Bates," I asked, "do you knohat Mr Glenarhtly I should not have noticed it if

I had not been keen for his answer

"No, sir I can't put my hand upon them, sir"

"That's all very well, Bates, but you didn't answer

my question Do you knohere they are? I'll put

my hand on them if you will kindly tell me where

they're kept"

"Mr Glenarm, I fear very much that they have been

destroyed I tried to find them before you came, to tell

you the whole truth, sir; but they , Bates Will you kindly

tell ain, please"

His hand shook as he passed the plate

"I hardly like to say, sir, when it's only a suspicion"

"Of course I shouldn't ask you to incriminate yourself,

but I'll have to insist on my question It may

have occurred to you, Bates, that I'm in a sense-in a

sense, mind you-the master here"

"Well, I should say, if you press randfather, burned the plans when

he left here the last ti to reflect upon him"

"Reflect upon the devil! What was his idea, do you

suppose?"

"I think, sir, if you will pardon-"

"Don't be so fussy!" I snapped "Dao on!"