Chapter ThreeHanding Lord Cheriton a newly starched and pressed white cravat, Nickolls said,
“I hear, sir, that this house belongs to a Lord Cheriton. Can there be another Lord Cheriton?”
Lord Cheriton paused before he answered,
“I believe so, Nickolls, but it is of the utmost importance, as you realise, that we should have no knowledge of the name and that it means nothing to us.”
“Of course, sir. But they were talking in the kitchen and saying how strange and almost crazy the gentleman were before he died.”
“I am not interested, Nickolls,” Lord Cheriton said firmly. “What concerns us at the moment is, as you know, the smugglers in the neighbourhood. Have you heard anything of interest?”
“There’s a great deal going on, sir, that’s difficult to put a finger on, but there’s no doubt t
