"You haven't lost your wits, I see," he declared. "What was it? Did
you by any chance get religion, Burton?"
The young man shook his head.
"Not particularly, sir," he replied. "By the bye, you owe me four days'
money. Would it be quite convenient--?"
"You shall have it," Mr. Waddington declared, thrusting his hand into
his trousers pocket. "I can't afford it, for things are going badly
with me. Here it is, though. Thirty-four shillings--that's near
enough. Anything else?"
"There is one other thing," Burton said slowly. "It is rather a
coincidence, sir, that we should have met just here. I see that you
have been into Idlemay House. I wonder whether you would lend me the
keys? I will return them to the office, with pleasure, but I should
very much like to go in myself for a few minutes."
Mr. Waddington stared at his late employee, thoroughly puzzled.
"If you aren't a caution!" he exclaimed. "What the mischief do you want
to go in there for?"
Burton smiled.
"I should like to see if that little room where the old Egyptian died
has been disturbed since I was there, sir."
Mr. Waddington hesitated. Then he turned and led the way.
"I'd forgotten all about that," he said.
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