“I see. One other question: do you know what Mr Vereker's plans were for Saturday evening?”
“Oh no, sir! Mr Vereker was never communicative. I inferred from his attire that he was dining in town before motoring into the country, but where or in what company I fear I have no idea.”
“Thank you. I won't keep you any longer, then.”
The butler bowed, and looked towards Giles. “I beg your pardon, sir, but in the face of this unexpected occurrence there is a feeling amongst the staff that everything is very unsettled. I do not know whether the staff is to be kept on - ?”
“That will be for the heir to decide,” answered Giles pleasantly. “Meanwhile, just carry on as you are.”
“If you say so, sir,” said Taylor, and withdrew.
Hannasyde waited until he had gone before saying: “What did you make of that, Mr Carrington?”
“Not very much,” shrugged Giles. “I daresay it might be a good thing if you could run the seedy stranger to earth, but it sounds to me as though it were a somewhat inexpert blackmailer at work. Would you like the safe opened first?”
“Yes, please. And a certain amount of animus displayed against the chauffeur. Or merely protective measures?”
“Probably a bit of both,” said Giles, opening a very obvious door in the panelling beside the fireplace, and disclosing a steel safe. “Servants are always anxious to protect themselves against any possible accusation -even,” he added bitterly, “when it's only one of watering the whisky. Here you are.”