"He spent a good deal of time about the church, sir," answered the girl,
"and he was at Ellingham Park a good deal--"

"Whose place is that?" interrupted Mr. Pawle.

"Lord Ellingham's, sir."

"Do you mean that Mr. Ashton called on Lord Ellingham, or what?"

"No, sir, because Lord Ellingham wasn't there--he scarcely ever is
there," replied Lucy Summers. "I mean that Mr. Ashton went into the park
a good deal and looked over the house--a good many people come to see
Ellingham Park, sir."

"Well, and what else?" asked Mr. Pawle. "Did he go to see people in the
town at all?"

"I don't know, sir--but he was out most of the day. And at night he
talked a great deal with my grandmother, in her sitting-room, I think,"
added the girl with a glance which took in both listeners. "I think
that's what she wants to tell about. She would have come here herself,
but she's over seventy and doesn't like travelling."

Mr. Pawle turned to Viner.

"Now we know where we are," he said. "There's no doubt that this is our
Ashton, and that Mrs. Summers has something she can tell about him.
Viner, I suggest that you and I go down to Marketstoke this afternoon.
You've accommodations for a couple of gentlemen, I suppose, my dear?" he