“I believe Mr. Ackroyd considered him a most able secretary.”

“He has been here⁠—how long?”

“Just on two years, I fancy.”

“His duties he fulfils punctiliously. Of that I am sure. In what manner does he amuse himself? Does he go in for le sport? ”

“Private secretaries haven’t much time for that sort of thing,” said Colonel Melrose, smiling. “Raymond plays golf, I believe. And tennis in the summer time.”

“He does not attend the courses⁠—I should say the running of the horses?”

“Race meetings? No, I don’t think he’s interested in racing.”