Harry bowed. My lord yawned. "You've a devil of a name, Mr.
Boyce," says he.
"I deplore it, and hope to disgrace it."
"Is it possible?" said my lord, and yawned again.
"I had the honour to tell you, my lord, that I answer for the gentleman," says Mr. O'Connor.
"You may endorse the devil, if you please," my lord sneered.
Harry struck in, "I came to tell you, my lord, that your house is watched, and by now surrounded."
"Damn them, they have found it out, have they?" says my lord, and spread out his lean hands to the fire.
"How many, if you please?" says O'Connor.
"A dozen or so. They marched out this morning, scattered, and met again in the village and came here across country. They are well-armed, I believe, and look men who would fight."
"Ods fish, that nets this hole," says my lord. "Pray, Mr. Boyce, when will they put the ferret in?" Harry shrugged. "Oh, there's a limit to your kindness, is there? Do you choose to tell us who sent them?"