He thought that all these should have been in the estate office in the castle and he wondered why Potter had removed them to his own house.
He then opened the other door and found what he was seeking.
Seated in an armchair in front of the fireplace, although there was no fire, was Potter.
The Marquis supposed that he was asleep, but as he entered the room and drew nearer, he became aware of a very strong smell of whisky. There was a half empty bottle on the table beside Potter’s chair.
The Marquis looked down at him and noted that he was indeed asleep, but it was a sleep of drunkenness. There was no doubt about it that Potter was extremely drunk.
He had raised one leg up onto a stool and from its appearance the Marquis was sure he was suffering from gout.
He looked round the room. Th
