“No, ’e is ’ardly ever at ’ome, but we expect ’im as ’e comes about this time as a rule.”
“I must have a look at this castle then, it ought to be an interesting place.”
Southgate cast a shrewd glance at his visitor.
“I dunno if you ’ad better,” he said sullenly “they be ’ard on poachers there; no, I shouldn’t go if I were you.”
Halley stretched himself before the fire while Southgate cleared away.
He thought it peculiar that he should do this himself, instead of getting a servant to perform the office, but when he had finished he came and stood beside Halley’s chair, fidgetting awkwardly.
“Sit down, landlord, and join me with something if you can spare the time,” said Halley taking a sudden resolve.
“Thank you kindly, sir, I don’t mind if I do. Things be powerful quiet nowadays, except in the evenings there be nothing doing.”
When he had fetched a bottle and glasses, Halley turned to him, and asked abruptly.
“Will you answer me a straight question?”