"Bates," I asked, "do you know what Mr. Glenarm
did with the plans for the house?"
He started slightly. 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 know where 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 must have been made
'way with."
"That's very interesting, Bates. Will you kindly
tell me whom you suspect of destroying them? The
toast again, 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 me, that I fear
Mr. Glenarm, your grandfather, burned the plans when
he left here the last time. I hope you will pardon me,
sir, for seeming 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. "Damn your pardon,
and go on!"
"He wanted you to study out the place for yourself,
sir. It was dear to his heart, this house. He set his
heart upon having you enjoy it-"
"I like the word-go ahead."
"And I suppose there are things about it that he
wished you to learn for yourself."
"You know them, of course, and are watching me to
see when I'm hot or cold, like kids playing hide the
handkerchief."
The fellow turned and faced me across the table.
"Mr. Glenarm, as I hope God may be merciful to me
in the last judgment, I don't know any more than you
do."
"You were here with Mr. Glenarm all the time he was
building the house, but you never saw walls built that
weren't what they appeared to be, or doors made that
didn't lead anywhere."
I summoned all my irony and contempt for this arraignment.
He lifted his hand, as though making
oath.
"As God sees me, that is all true. I was here to care
for the dead master's comfort and not to spy on him."
"And Morgan, your friend, what about him?"
"I wish I knew, sir."
"I wish to the devil you did," I said, and flung out
of the room and into the library.
At eleven o'clock I heard a pounding at the great
front door and Bates came to announce a caller, who
was now audibly knocking the snow from his shoes in
the outer hall.