“I say, Jasy, have you seen the old peasant lately?”
Hamlin, who was one of those individuals who apparently dislike the slightest familiarity, frowned, remarking briefly:
“Yes; just the other day.”
“I must say, this particular specimen is rather a dull looking old chap until one gets to talking to him. Ever been over to his place, Hammy?”
“Yes,” answered Jason.
“So have I,” laughed Peur Jamais. “And there’s everything there but what a farm ought to have. He must be using some method of growing vegetables by wireless. By the way, Jason, ever go through that old ramshackle house?”
“Only the first floor,” responded the other, adding abruptly: “Bobby, several times I’ve overheard you making mysterious observations in regard to that particular ‘specimen,’ who is a rather dull looking old chap until one gets to talking to him. How would you like to offer an explanation?”
Bobby’s expression swiftly changed. The laughing light left his eyes, and, for an instant, he looked not only surprised but displeased.
“So you were in the house?” he cried. “Well, what did you find?”
“That the peasant was not altogether what he seemed. I heard you also mention Sherlock Holmes, which would naturally suggest that you thought of doing a little investigating. How about it?”