He hunched one impatient shoulder. "The fellow's always acting. I can't stand him."

"Well, he can't help that: it's second nature. He sees himself in so many roles. Did you hear him sustaining a spirited dialogue with your prospective mother-in-law?"

"Did I not!" he said, grinning. "Didyou hear him relying on my goodnature to keep him out of the workhouse?"

"No, I missed that. Are he and Maud going to remain on at Lexham?"

"Not if I know it!"

"I have an idea Maud doesn't want to," she remarked. "What do you make of her, Stephen?"

"You can't make anything of a vacuum. Yes, what is it?"

This last sentence was addressed to Sturry, who had entered the room, and was waiting by the door, with a look of patient resignation on his face.

"I beg your pardon, sir, but I thought you would wish to be informed that the Inspector from Scotland Yard is here again."

"Does he want me?"