"
"I will not prevent her going, if she wishes it, after your
explanation and confidence, Mr. Heatherstone."
"One thing more. As I said to you before, Edward Armitage, I believe
many of these verderers, all of which have been selected from the
army, are spies upon me: I must therefore be careful. You said that
you were not aware that there were any papers?"
"I saw none, sir; but I suspect, from the many locked-up trunks and
small boxes, that there may be; but when I went out with the others
from the inquest, I dispatched my brother Humphrey to the cottage,
advising him to open all the locks and to remove any papers which he
might find."
The intendant smiled.
"Well, if such is the case, we have only to go to your cottage and
make an examination. We shall find nothing, and I shall have performed
my duty. I was not aware that your brother was here. I presume it was
the young man who walked with Oswald Partridge."
"It was, sir."
"By his appearance, I presume that he, also, was brought up at
Arnwood?"
"He was, sir, as well as I," replied Edward.
"Well, then, I have but one word more to say--recollect, if I appear
harsh and severe in the presence of others, it is only assumed toward
you, and not real. You understand that?"
"I do, sir, and beg you will exercise your discretion.
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