"Of course, you will bear in mind that I am, as it were, a stranger--I have only been in Sir Gilbert's Carstairs' employ nine months.

But--I have eyes.

And ears.

And the long and short of it is, gentlemen, I believe Sir Gilbert--and Lady Carstairs--have gone!" "Absolutely gone ?" exclaimed Mr.Portlethorpe.

"Good gracious, Hollins!--you don't mean that!" "I shall be much surprised if it is not found to be the case, sir," answered Hollins, whose name I now heard for the first time.
"And--incidentally, as it were--I may mention that I think it will be discovered that a good deal has gone with them!" "What--property ?" demanded Mr.Portlethorpe.