“How can I tell who will be the next?” Todmarsh groaned. “I tell you, I would have staked my life on Hopkins.”
“We cannot answer for our brothers, any of us,” Mr. Collyer went on. “But now, my boy, you must make an effort. You must think of your Aunt Madeline, of Mrs. Phillimore.”
There was a moment's silence, then Todmarsh raised his head.
“You are right. You always do me more good than anyone else, Uncle James. But here I am keeping you all waiting. I beg your pardon, Aunt Madeline. And after lunch there is much to be done. I must see about getting Hopkins bailed out.”
“Where is Hopkins?” questioned Anthony, taking part in the conversation for the first time.
“At a place called Burchester,” Aubrey answered. “I fancy it is quite a small place. Probably it is the nearest police court to Whistone Hall.”
“Whistone Hall, in the New Forest, you said, didn't you?” Anthony went on. “Is it near Burford, do you know?”
He hardly knew what made him ask the question. John Steadman glanced at him sharply.
Aubrey Todmarsh turned a surprised face towards him.
“I don't know. I don't know anything about the place. And I never heard of Burford.”