“I beg your pardon, sir,” said my friend, the workman-like footman; “but before these gentlemen say anything for themselves, I wish to explain, as they seem strangers to you, that I only let them in after I had heard them give the password. My instructions are to let anybody in on our side of the door if they can give the password. No offense, sir, but I want it to be understood that I have done my duty.” “Quite right, my man,” said the doctor, in his blandest manner. “You may go back to your work.” Young File left the room, with a scrutinizing look for the two strangers and a suspicious frown for Screw. “Allow us to introduce ourselves,” began the elder of the two strangers. “Pardon me for a moment,” interposed the doctor. “Where is Mill?” he added, turning to Screw. “Doing our errands at Barkingham,” answered Screw, turning paler than ever. “We happened to meet your two men, and to ask them the way to your house,” said the stranger who had just spoken. “This man, with a caution that does him infinite credit, required to know our business before he told us. We managed to introduce the password--‘Happy-go-lucky’--into our answer. This of course quieted suspicion; and he, at our request, guided us here, leaving his fellow-workman, as he has just told you, to do all errands at Barkingham.” While these words were being spoken, I saw Screw’s eyes wandering discontentedly and amazedly round the room. He had left me in it with the doctor before he went out: was he disappointed at not finding me in it on his return? While this thought was passing through my mind, the stranger resumed his explanations. “We are here,” he said, “as agents appointed to transact private business, out of London, for Mr. Manasseh, with whom you have dealings, I think?” “Certainly,” said the doctor, with a smile. “And who owes you a little account, which we are appointed to settle.” “Just so!” remarked the doctor, pleasantly rubbing his hands one over the other. “My good friend, Mr. Manasseh, does not like to trust the post, I suppose? Very glad to make your acquaintance, gentlemen. Have you got the little memorandum about you?” “Yes; but we think there is a slight inaccuracy in it. Have you any objection to let us refer to your ledger?” “Not the least in the world. Screw, go down into my private laboratory, open the table-drawer nearest the window, and bring up a locked book, with a parchment cover, which you will find in it.” As Screw obeyed I saw a look pass between him and the two strangers which made me begin to feel a little uneasy. I thought the doctor noticed it too; but he preserved his countenance, as usual, in a state of the most unruffled composure. “What a time that fellow is gone!” he exclaimed gayly. “Perhaps I had better go and get the book myself.”