“Does any one up at Hechnahoul know you?”
“No.”
“And no one there knows me. They will never suspect for an instant.”
His lordship assumed a look that would have been serious, almost impressive, had he first removed his eye-glass. Evidently some weighty consideration had occurred to him.
“You are an awfully clever chap, Essington,” he said, “and deuced superior to most fellows, and—er—all that kind of thing. But—well—you don't mind my saying it?”
“My morals? My appearance? Say anything you like, my dear fellow.”
“It's only this, that noblesse oblige, and that kind of thing, you know.”
“I am afraid I don't quite follow.”
“Well, I mean that you aren't a nobleman, and do you think you could carry things off like a—ah—like a Tulliwuddle?”
Essington remained entirely serious.