Part 6 (2/2)
”This morning.”
”This morning?”
”Yes; just as soon as I got here, about eight o'clock.”
Mr. Barnes wondered whether there was any connection between this man's giving up his position, and the account of the discoveries in regard to Mr. Quadrant's body which the morning papers had published.
VI
”Mr. Berial,” said Mr. Barnes after a few moments' thought, ”I wish you would let me have a little talk with your man--Jack, I think you called him. And I would like to speak to him alone if you don't mind. I feel that I must find this other fellow, Jerry, and perhaps Jack may be able to give me some information as to his home, unless you can yourself tell me where he lives.”
”No; I know nothing about him,” said Mr. Berial. ”Of course you can speak to Jack. I'll call him in here and I'll be off to attend to some business. That will leave you alone with him.”
Jack, when he came in, proved to be a character. Mr. Barnes soon discovered that he had little faith in the good intentions of any one in the world except himself. He evidently was one of those men who go through life with a grievance, feeling that all people have in some way contributed to their misfortune.
”Your name is Jack,” said Mr. Barnes; ”Jack what?”
”Jacka.s.s, you might say,” answered the fellow, with a coa.r.s.e attempt at wit.
”And why, pray?”
”Well, a jacka.s.s works like a slave, don't he? And what does he get out of it? Lots of blows, plenty of cuss words, and a little fodder. It's the same with yours truly.”
”Very well, my man, have your joke. But now tell me your name. I am a detective.”
”The devil a much I care for that. I ain't got nothin' to hide. My name's Randal, if you must have it. Jack Randal.”
”Very good. Now I want to ask you a few questions about the funeral of Mr. Quadrant.”
”Ask away. n.o.body's stoppin' you.”
”You a.s.sisted in preparing the body for the coffin, I think?”
”Yes, and helped to put him in it.”
”Have you any idea how he got out of it again?” asked Mr. Barnes suddenly.
”Nit. Leastways, not any worth mentionin', since I can't prove what I might think.”
”But I should like to know what you think, anyway,” persisted the detective.
”Well, I think he was took out,” said Randal with a hoa.r.s.e laugh.
”Then you do not believe that he was cremated?”
”Cremated? Not on your life. If he was made into ashes, would he turn up again a floater and drift onto the marble at the Morgue? I don't think.”
”But how could the body have gotten out of the coffin?”
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