"How should I know it else?" I said; "but now I want to know about him and the family."
He took me away from the people by a pathway that led through a meadow.
"You was a friend of Maaster Roger's," said Bill, "zo I can tell 'ee. He's dead, and there's been foul play."
"Foul play? How?"
"It's my belief 'ow 'e've bin murdered, zur."
"Murdered! Why should you think that?"
"When did you knaw Maaster Roger, sur?"
"Oh, twelve years ago, just before he came of age, I think."
"Well, sur, ther've bin awful doin's up at th' House since then, things, sur, as I'm amooast 'fraid to tell 'ee, 'cause——"
Then a frightened look came into Bill's eyes, and he looked round nervously.