Whitney made a gesture of resignation.
"This is a pretty hard country for a stranger to get along in. You're such a blamed cautious people that nobody can guess what you think. Why don't you give my partner or Dick a hint, if you believe there's something wrong?"
"There's aye a rizzon," Marshall replied with a grin. "Mr. Andrew mightna' believe me, and Mr. Dick would let it oot to Staffer. It's no' wise to offend the gentry, mair particularly your landlord, when a salmon noo and then comes by accident into your flounder net or ye chance upon a hare sitting ower close in her form."
"But Dick would not be hard on you, and he'll be your landlord soon."
"That's no' what Mr. Staffer's thinking," said Marshall meaningly.
Whitney gave him a steady glance, knitting his brows.
"My partner will get Appleyard if Dick dies."
"Ay, that's supposed to be the way o' it; but Mr. Dick has debts that would have to be paid. Then Mr. Staffer's acting baillie for the estate, and it wouldna' suit him weel to see Mr. Andrew get it."
"You mean he's a dangerous man?"
"Ye should ken. I'm thinking ye're intelligent, and ye're Mr. Andrew's friend."