"I wasn't saying it was drink. I know well it couldn't be, for he's a
simple, innocent kind of gentleman that wouldn't do the like. But I'd
say he was one that liked a bit of sport, and didn't care what
foolishness he might be after so long as he got it."
She smiled amiably at Doyle, as she spoke; but he was not a man to be
diverted from his purpose by smiles, or lulled into forgetfulness by
the charm of general conversation.
"You'll go upstairs this minute, Sabina Gallagher," he said, "and
you'll pack up whatever clothes you have--and that's not many--and as
soon as you have that done you'll go off home, for I'll not have you in
this house another night."
"I was thinking," said Sabina, "that you'd likely be saying that."
"I'd say more," said Doyle, "only if I did I might say what I'd be
sorry for after."
"You might surely."
"Though I wouldn't say more than you deserve whatever I said. What in
the name of all that's holy did you mean by poisoning the gentleman
that came here to stop in the hotel, and would have paid me three
pounds a week and maybe more?
"It was Mr. Meldon told me," said Sabina, "and how was I to know but
you sent a message to me by him, the way I'd be doing what it was you
wanted done?"
"Is it likely I'd send him to you on a message? Oughtn't you to have
more sense than to think I'd trust that one with a message? And
wouldn't anybody that wasn't a born fool know that I didn't want the
lamp upset over the dinner?"
"It was you told me to put the stuff the doctor was after giving you on
the sheets of the gentleman's bed, and after the like of that was done
on him, it wouldn't make much matter what other devilment he'd have to
put up with.
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