It struck both Beth and Louise that his tone indicated he would not,
rather than that he could not say. Before they had time to ask another
questioned he continued:
"Will you take the saucepan with you, then, or shall I try to send it in
a day or so?"
"We will take it, if you please," answered Louise. But as he wrapped it
into a neat parcel she made one more effort.
"What sort of a young man was Joseph Wegg?"
"Joe? A mere boy, untried and unsettled. A bright boy, in his way, and
ambitious to have a part in the big world. He's there now, I believe."
He spoke with an air of relief, and handed Louise the parcel.
"Thank you, young ladies. Pray call again if I can be of service to
you," he added, in a brisker tone.
They had no recourse but to walk out, which they did without further
words. Indeed, they were all three silent until they had left the
village far behind and were half way to the farm.
Then Patsy said, inquiringly:
"Well, girls?"
"We have progressed," announced Louise, seriously.
"In what way?"
"Several things are impressed upon my mind," replied the girl. "One is
McNutt's absurd indignation when he thought we hinted that he was the
murderer."
"What do you make of that?" queried Patsy.
"It suggests that he knows something of the murder, even if he is
himself wholly innocent.
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