Here Podgers was on familiar ground, and he rattled off a description minute in every particular.
'What I meant was, Podgers, is he silent, or talkative, or does he get angry? Does he seem furtive, suspicious, anxious, terrorised, calm, excitable, or what?'
'Well, sir, he is by way of being very quiet, never has much to say for himself; never saw him angry, or excited.'
'Now, Podgers, you've been at Park Lane for a fortnight or more. You are a sharp, alert, observant man. What happens there that strikes you as unusual?'
'Well, I can't exactly say, sir,' replied Podgers, looking rather helplessly from his chief to myself, and back again.
'Your professional duties have often compelled you to enact the part of butler before, otherwise you wouldn't do it so well. Isn't that the case.'
Podgers did not reply, but glanced at his chief. This was evidently a question pertaining to the service, which a subordinate was not allowed to answer. However, Hale said at once,—
'Certainly. Podgers has been in dozens of places.'
'Well, Podgers, just call to mind some of the other households where you have been employed, and tell me any particulars in which Mr Summertrees' establishment differs from them.'
Podgers pondered a long time.