Sir Austin saw the manoeuvres, and admired Adrian's shrewdness.

But he had to check the young natural lawyer, for the effect of so much masked examination upon Richard was growing baneful.

This fish also felt the hook in his gills, but this fish was more of a pike, and lay in different waters, where there were old stumps and black roots to wind about, and defy alike strong pulling and delicate handling.

In other words, Richard showed symptoms of a disposition to take refuge in lies.
"You know the grounds, my dear boy," Adrian observed to him.

"Tell me; do you think it easy to get to the rick unperceived?
I hear they suspect one of the farmer's turned-off hands." "I tell you I don't know the grounds," Richard sullenly replied.
"Not ?" Adrian counterfeited courteous astonishment.