It faced the short, steep hill overhanging the river.

A triangular strip of turf formed the village green, and the houses of Steynholme clustered around this and a side road climbing the hill.

From door and windows nearly every shop and residence in the village proper could be seen.

In front of the Hare and Hounds had gathered a group of men, and it was easy to guess the topic they were discussing.

The superintendent, who did not know any of them, had no difficulty in identifying Hobbs, who looked a butcher and was dressed like one, or Tomlin, who was either born an innkeeper or had been coached in the part by a stage expert.