"Thanks to you, Nance! What with your dreams and other worryings I can't think of my proper business." "What is it ?" she asked.
"A deed Dr.Ashton's lawyer got me to bring and save his clerk a journey--if you must know.

I'll take it over at once, while the tea's brewing." As Jabez Gum passed through his own gate he looked towards Mr.Pike's dwelling; it was only natural he should do so after the recent conversation; and he saw that worthy gentleman come stealing across the waste ground, with his usual cautious step.

Although not given to exchanging courtesies with his neighbour, the clerk walked briskly towards him now, and waited at the hurdles which divided the waste ground from the road.
"I hear you were prowling about the mill when Lord Hartledon met with his accident," began the clerk, in low, condemning tones.
"And what if I was," asked Pike, leaning his arms on the hurdles and facing the clerk.

"Near the mill I wasn't; about the woods and river I was; and I saw him pass down in the sculling boat with his disabled arm.
What of it, I ask ?" Pike's tone, though short, was civil enough.

The forced appearance before the coroner and public had disturbed his equanimity in no slight degree, and taken for the present all insolence out of him.
"Should any doubt get afloat that his lordship's death might not have been accidental, your presence at the spot would tell against you." "No, it wouldn't.