I begged 'im not to think o' doin' it, but
Collins is pig-'eaded, if you'll forgive the word, sir, and he was bent
upon gettin' your papers. I swear, sir, I ain't 'ad anythin' ter do with
it, and when 'e didn't come back last night before I went to bed I said
to meself, I said, 'Collins 'as dropped into a public 'ouse and made a--a
ass of hisself', I said. And thought no more about it, expectin' he'd be
in later. But 'is bed 'asn't been slept in, and there 's no sign of 'im
anywhere."
Merriton twisted round upon his heel and looked at the man keenly for a
moment.
"I'm fond of Collins, Borkins," he said abruptly. "We've known each other
a long time. I shouldn't like anything to happen to the chap while he's
in my service, that's all. Get out now and make enquiries in every
direction. Have Dimmock go down to the village. And ransack every public
house round about. If you can't find any trace of him--" his lips
tightened for a moment, "then I'll fetch in the police. I'll get the
finest detective in the land on this thing, I'll get Cleek himself if it
costs me every penny I possess, but I'll have him traced somehow.
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