Werricker, sir--though the seal's broke, you'll ob-serve."
Dazed and wondering, I took the letter he held out to me, but no
sooner had I glanced at the superscription than I forgot all else for
the moment.
"How--how should that man--come by this?" I stammered at last.
"Took or pur-loined it from the young 'ooman Nancy Price, sir,
according to 'er own ewidence, as stated to me in my little office
this mornin'--an' her a-veepin' all over my papers, pore lass! Aha!"
exclaimed Mr. Shrig, still busied on his researches. "He's got summat
in this 'ere 'ind pocket as I can't come at--p'raps you'll obleege me
by heavin' Windictiveness over a bit, sir? Why, never mind, sir--done
it myself--"
"How--did the young woman come by this letter?"
"'T is in ewidence as years ago she was maid to a lady--now Mrs.
Vere-Manville, it was give her by that same. What, are ye goin', sir?
Werry good, this ain't exactly a cheery spot at present. Will you be
so obleegin' as to send a cart an', say, a 'urdle for these ere birds
o' mine?"
And so I left him, sitting between his "birds" whose flying days were
done, busily making notes in his little book, very like some
industrious clerk posting his ledger for the day.
Reaching the "Bull" Inn, I despatched cart and hurdle as desired and,
ordering rooms for the night, shut myself therein to escape the
general hubbub and horrified questioning my news had called forth. And
here, remote from all and sundry, I unfolded the letter a dead man's
hand had opened and read these words:
Knowing you vile, I should have grieved for you, pitied you, but
loved you still.
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