As he led the way to the door the midshipman gave another glance round, seeing nothing in the slightest degree suspicious, and, a few minutes after, the whole party was being refreshed, both officers quite convinced that there was nothing contraband on the premises.
“What other houses are there near here?” asked Gurr at last.
“Only one. The Hoze.”
“The Hoze?”
“Yes; Sir Risdon Graeme’s. Yonder among the trees. Going up there?”
“Yes, of course,” said Archy shortly.
“Yes, of course,” said the farmer, in assent. “But I’d be a bit easy with him, sir. Don’t hurt his feelings. Gentleman, you see.”
“Don’t be alarmed,” said the midshipman quietly. “I hope we shall not be rude to any one.”
He moved towards the door, after saluting Mrs Shackle, the farmer leading the way, and pointing out the nearest path up the steep slope.
“’Bout my cow,” he said.