He had scarcely taken a step towards them, however, when he stopped short.

To his amazement Seaman was there, standing a little on one side, with his eyes fixed upon the windows of the servants' quarters.
"Hullo, my friend!" he exclaimed.

"Why, I thought you went by the early train from Thursford Station ?" "Missed it by two minutes," Seaman replied with a glance towards the beaters.

"I knew all the cars were full for the eleven o'clock, so I thought I'd wait till the afternoon." "And where have you been to for the last few hours, then ?" Seaman had reached his side now and was out of earshot of the others.
"Trying to solve the mystery of Johann Wolff's sudden departure last night.

Come and walk down the avenue with me a short way." "A very short distance, then.