“ Mr. Urquhart didn’t seem to know what you were up to in Ramsgard,” he remarked, indiscreetly enough, but with no ulterior motive.

“He knew right and fine, Mr. Solent! Don’t you make no mistake. There isn’t much that goes on up at House⁠—or out of House either, for that matter⁠—that he doesn’t know!”

“That must be rather uncomfortable sometimes, eh? What?”

This rather ungentlemanly imitation of the Squire’s favourite phrase tickled the swarthy giant’s fancy, and he smiled broadly. But a minute later his face grew grave and worried.