“I am very much obliged to you. You did right, and I doubt whether you would have caught my would-be assassin, even had you been able to stop.”
“I would have liked to have got just one glimpse of him, me lord,” Chard said. “I know what I know, but it ain’t enough. And I’m rare set-about that I let that young — let Mr. Martin slip through my hands tonight, so to speak! What I don’t see is how he got into your lordship’s room without me seeing him at it!”
“He got into it by way of that stair, which you may see, if you turn round.”
“Ho!” said Chard, having subjected the panel and the cavity beyond it to a close inspection. “So that’s the way it is, is it? Next thing we know we’ll be having an embascado inside this here Castle, as well as out of it! Well, me lord, that’s properly bowled me out, that has! Why, you might have been smothered in your bed, and no one the wiser!”
“I fancy that very nearly did happen to me once,” said the Earl reflectively. “I don’t mean to be approached by that stair again, so, if you will be so good, Chard, you may take a candle, and go out by the secret way, and when you come out of the cupboard, into which I understand it has access, lock it, and keep the key. Here it is!”
Chard took the key, but said: “Ay, me lord, but that ain’t enough! There’s someone as is desperate set on stashing your glim, and by what I’ve seen he won’t stop for much. Seems to me we’ll both of us be easier in our minds if I was to set here quiet during the night, while your lordship gets a bit of sleep!”
The Earl shook his head. “Thank you, no! I have something else for you to do. I fancy nothing will be attempted against me while I am confined to my bed, with Turvey in the dressing-room.”
“Him!” said Chard scornfully. “He might wake if you was to sound a trumpet outside his door — there’s no saying!”
“He would wake if I called to him. But I have a better answer for a would-be assassin than Turvey. Open the top right-hand drawer of that chest, if you please! You will find my pistol there: bring it to me! Be careful! it is loaded and primed. Thank you!” The Earl took the pistol, and laid it on the table beside his bed. “Now light a candle!” He waited until Chard had obeyed him, and then said: “Don’t mount guard outside Mr. Martin’s room!”
“Me lord!” Chard said explosively. “Mr. Martin was caught by me the best part of the way to King’s Lynn this day!”