Thresk stopped before the hedge.

The windows were all shuttered, the big door closed: there was nowhere any sign of the inhabitants.
Thresk turned and walked back to the hotel.

He found the bearer laying out a change of clothes for him upon his bed.
"His Excellency is away," he said.
"Yes, Sahib," replied the bearer promptly.

"His Excellency gone on inspection tour." "Then why in heaven's name didn't you tell me ?" cried Thresk.
The bearer's face lost all its cheerfulness in a second and became a mask.

He was a Madrassee and black as coal.