“Tom,” he exclaimed angrily, “what do you make of this?”
The man shook his head.
“But he can’t have come out of the study while we were looking out at the back.”
“That’s so, sir,” said the man, shaking his head the while. “It’s quite onpossible, sir, but he did.”
“Tut, tut, tut!” ejaculated Murray quickly. “We must visit all the posts and see if any one saw him pass.”
“They couldn’t, sir, ’cause if they had they’d have challenged and stopped him.”
“Of course they would,” cried the lad excitedly. “Here, let’s have another look round the study. He must be there.”
“That’s just what I’m a-thinking, sir,” cried the man solemnly.
“Then where is he? Don’t stand staring at me like a figure-head! Haven’t you anything to say?”
“No, sir; only you ’member how all-overish I come, sir.”