"Quite well, Sir Karl. I was at the Court once in Sir Joseph Andinnian's time."
"Ay, of course you would know it. Now for my question. Have you sent a detective officer down to Foxwood after Philip Salter?"
"I have not," replied Mr. Burtenshaw, with, Karl thought, a stress upon the "I."
"But you know that one is there?"
"Why do you ask me this?" cried Mr. Burtenshaw, making no immediate reply.
"Because I have reason to believe, in fact to know, that a detective officer is at Foxwood, and I wish to ascertain what he is there for. I presume it can only be to search after Philip Salter."
"And what if it were?" asked Mr. Burtenshaw.
"Nothing. Nothing that could in any way affect you. I want to ascertain it, yes or no, for my own private and individual satisfaction."
"Well, you are right, Sir Karl. One of our men has gone down there with that object."
Karl paused. "I suppose I have led to it," he said. "That is, that it has been done in consequence of the inquiries I made of you."