“Unless it would be Lord Manton,” said the sergeant.
“I’ll see Lord Manton anyhow,” said Mr. Goddard. “You can tell the constable to take my horse and trap round to the hotel. I’ll walk up to the Castle.”
“It’ll be well,” said the sergeant, “if you get seeing his lordship.”
He spoke meaningly. Mr. Goddard, who was half way to the barrack door, turned back.
“What’s that you say?”
“It’ll be well,” said the sergeant, “if you’re not told that his lordship’s away from home.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I was up there yesterday,” said the sergeant; “off and on I was there for the most of the day; and I was up there again to-day, and all I got by it was word that his lordship was away from home. Jimmy O’Loughlin was saying——”
“Go on,” said Mr. Goddard; “Jimmy O’Loughlin’s remarks are always valuable.”
“He was saying that his lordship was within all the time. It was his opinion—I’m not saying was he right or wrong—but it was his opinion that his lordship didn’t want the police next or nigh him.”