“Well, let’s see the inside,” he said, turning to his companion. “ Mr. Urquhart might as well have put me up here at first.”

The other gave him one of his equivocal glances. “ ’Twere the matter of meals, I expect, Sir,” he said cautiously. “But if the lady comes, things will be different, no doubt.”

“Then you’d be pleased to have us here?”

This time the gardener’s look was direct and eager.

“I’d be glad enough to have a gent like yourself sleeping under this here roof,” he cried.

They entered the house together and the matter was soon arranged between them. When things were settled, Wolf observed the man rubbing one of his hands up and down the back of a chair. “I’d give a hundred pounds to get a place in them Shires again!” he burst out suddenly.