His dismal countenance became even longer than usual when he observed that they were about to leave the house without appearing even to know that he was there.

However, just as they were going out, Rushton paused on the threshold and called him: 'Mr Hunter!' 'Yes, sir.' Nimrod ran to him like a dog taken notice of by his master: if he had possessed a tail, it is probable that he would have wagged it.

Rushton gave him the plans with an intimation that the work was to be proceeded with.
For some time after they were gone, Hunter crawled silently about the house, in and out of the rooms, up and down the corridors and the staircases.

After a while he went into the room where Newman was and stood quietly watching him for about ten minutes as he worked.

The man was painting the skirting, and just then he came to a part that was split in several places, so he took his knife and began to fill the cracks with putty.