The task would be difficult--and perhaps unpleasant.

For he was very certain that Marston Greyle would resent his presence in the village, and that Chatfield would be suspicious of it.
What reason could he, an utter stranger, have for taking up his quarters at the "Admiral's Arms ?" The tourist season was over: Autumn was well set in; with Autumn, on that coast, came weather which would send most southerners flying homewards.

Of course, these people would say that he was left there to peep and pry--and they would all know that the Squire was the object of suspicion.

It was all very well, his telling Mrs.
Wooler that being an idle man he had taken a fancy to Scarhaven, and would stay in her inn for a few weeks, but Mrs.Wooler, like everybody else, would see through that.

However, the promise had been given, and he would keep it--literally.