“Dudley Ogle,” I repeated, remembering that he had been absent from Shepperton for four days, and had told me he had been in Ipswich visiting some friends. “And he has been here?”
“Yes, sir. We made him as comfortable as we could, and I think he enjoyed hisself.”
“But what did he do—why was he down here?” I inquired eagerly.
“Do you know him, sir? Jolly gentleman, isn’t he? Up to all manners o’ tricks, and always chaffing the girls.”
“Yes, I knew him, Denman,” I answered gravely. “Tell me, as far as you know, his object in coming to Warnham. I’m very interested in his doings.”
“As far as I know, sir, he came to see somebody up at the Hall. I drove him about a good deal, over to Ockley, to Cowfold, and out to Handcross; and I took him into Horsham every day.”
“Do you know who was his friend at the Hall?”
“No, I don’t, sir. He never spoke about it; but I did have my suspicions,” he answered, smiling.
“Oh! what were they?” I asked.
“I fancy he came to see Lucy Bryden, the housekeeper’s daughter. She’s a good-looking girl, you know,” and the old man winked knowingly.