I made up my mind at once that he was a gardener.
"Woodden," said Mr.Somers, "this gentleman here has got the most wonderful orchid in the whole world.

Keep your eye on him and see that he isn't robbed.

There are people in this room, Mr.Quatermain, who would murder you and throw your body into the Thames for that flower," he added, darkly.
On receipt of this information Woodden rocked a little on his feet as though he felt the premonitory movements of an earthquake.

It was a habit of his whenever anything astonished him.

Then, fixing his pale eye upon me in a way which showed that my appearance surprised him, he pulled a lock of his sandy hair with his thumb and finger and said: "'Servant, sir, and where might this horchid be ?" I pointed to the tin case.
"Yes, it's there," went on Mr.Somers, "and that's what you've got to watch.