k how lucky the owners are to have them, and imagine them doing
all sorts of jolly things inside." He pointed to the right. "Ever been
over there?"

Bill laughed, as if a little ashamed.

"Well, not very much. I've often been along here, of course, because
it's the short way to the village."

"Yes.... All right; now tell me something about Mark."

"What sort of things?"

"Well, never mind about his being your host, or about your being a
perfect gentleman, or anything like that. Cut out the Manners for Men,
and tell me what you think of Mark, and how you like staying with him,
and how many rows your little house-party has had this week, and how you
get on with Cayley, and all the rest of it."

Bill looked at him eagerly.

"I say, are you being the complete detective?"

"Well, I wanted a new profession," smiled the other.

"What fun! I mean," he corrected himself apologetically, "one oughtn't
to say that, when there's a man dead in the house, and one's host--"
He broke off a little uncertainly, and then rounded off his period by
saying again, "By Jove, what a rum show it is. Good Lord!"

"Well?" said Antony. "Carry on, Mark"

"What do I think of him?"

"Yes."

Bill was silent, wondering how to put into words thoughts which had
never formed themselves very definitely in his own mind. What did he
think of Mark? Seeing his hesitation, Antony said:

"I ought to have warned you that nothing that you say will be taken down
by the reporters, so you needn't bother about a split infinitive or two.
Talk about anything you like, how you like. Well, I'll give you a start.
Which do you enjoy more a week-end here or at the Barrington's, say?"

"Well; of course, that would depend--"

"Take it that she was there in both cases."

"Ass," said Bill, putting an elbow into Antony's ribs. "It's a little
difficult to say," he went on. "Of course they do you awfully well
here."

"Yes."

"I don't think I know any house where things are so comfortable. One's
room--the food--drinks--cigars--the way everything's arranged: All that
sort of thing. They look after you awfully well."

"Yes?"

"Yes." He repeated it slowly to himself, as if it had given him a new
idea: "They look after you awfully well. Well, that's just what it is
about Mark. That's one of his little ways. Weaknesses. Looking after
you."

"Arranging things for you?"

"Yes. Of course, it's a delightful house, and there's plenty to do, and
opportunities for