"Didn't you know who robbed you?" "No; I wished I had known. I'd have got the book next week when the talk of the murder was past. But the master got a scare from that, though I told him, as I tell you, that it wasn't me. He said 'Lie low,' so I did lie low, and after a time he gave up the idea of getting the bill, till you came the other day, and he thought you might have it. So I've come to buy it if you will sell." "We'll talk about that later, Jerry. Are you sure Jenner was alive when you left the window?" "I swear it! He was just making for the kid." "Had he the knife in his hand?" "Not as I knows, sir. I think it was on the table. Jenner just ran at the kid with his mouth open; he was in a cruel fright. But I cut and didn't wait to see anything." "Then, do you think the child killed Jenner?" "Lor' no, sir!" cried Jerry, amazed. "A weak little thing like that! 'Sides, the kid hadn't the knife. 'Twas on the table, I'm sure." "Can you guess, then, who killed him?" "No, sir, I can't. All I know is that I didn't. But now you know, just say if I'm to have the bill!" "I'll tell you to-morrow morning." "I must know to-night; the master wants me back to-night." "He can't have you, then," said Heron, drily. "You stay here to-night, I want you to repeat your story to someone else." "I won't then! I was a fool to tell; but I don't know nothing." "You must stay here." "I never killed him!" wept Jerry; then he turned sullen and made a grab at his hat. "I'll go," he said, and made for the door. "Stephen," called Geoffrey; and Jerry found himself face to face with a big footman who seized him with iron hands. "Here! here!" he shouted, struggling and roaring. "Let me go; I never did nothing to Jenner. Let me go!" "Lock him up in some empty room, Stephen," cried Mr. Heron, "and give him food and wine; he must be kept here all night. I will take the responsibility. Confound this foot! If I were only able to walk! Oh, I'll keep you, Mr. Hutt; we haven't done with each other yet." Jerry's cunning came suddenly to his aid, and he ceased struggling. "If you give me grub and wine I'll stop," he said. "I ain't done nothing to Jenner; and I ain't afraid." "Take him away, Stephen, and do what I tell you," said Geoffrey, sharply; and Jerry Hutt soon found himself locked in an out-shed with a tray of food and a bottle of beer for his supper.