“Like an excise man?”
“More like the Watch,” April said.
Which proved to be surprisingly accurate.
The newcomer bowed as they strolled toward him and introduced himself.“Good morning, I’m Abraham Barley, constable of this parish.Forgive the intrusion, but I promised Sir Dominic Temperley I would keep an eye on the place while he was gone—as part of my duties, you understand.”
“Perfectly,” Piers said.“After all, Sir Dominic is not acquainted with any of us.I am Lord Petteril, and this is my wife.I presume you are aware we have taken the house for this fortnight?”
“Oh yes, sir, I mean, my lord, but Sir Dominic also mentioned some kind of student reunion, so...”
“Of course,” Piers said affably, as the man appeared to flounder for an explanation that was not offensive.“Fortunately, we have all grown out of reckless student pranks.In fact, we hope you will keep your eye on the place, for my wife was disturbed by strange noises in the house last night.”
“Oh, no one would break into Temper House, sir,” Barley said in a scandalized voice.
“Because it is haunted?”April asked with interest.
The constable laughed, which had the effect of making him both less official and more human.Perhaps he was nearer the forties than the fifties Piers had first supposed.
“So the locals might tell you, my lady,” Barley said tolerantly.“Old houses do tend to have atmosphere, if you apprehend me, and they do creak and groan in the night.”
“And moan?”April asked.
Barley blinked.“Same thing, isn’t it?Anyway, I wouldn’t worry about that nonsense, my lady.”
“I don’t suppose,” Piers said hopefully, “that you have any idea why Lady Temperley took all her servants with her instead of leaving them here as we understood she would?”
“Oh, they’re here, my lord.I just saw young Jem in the stables.”
“You are telling us that Lady Temperley runs this house with a cook, two maids and a footman?Ignoring the outside servants for the moment.”
“Of course not, my lord, that would be impossible!”
“And yet those are all we have.”
“There must have been some mistake, my lord, but I’m afraid it’s not my place to look into it.It’s between you and Sir Dominic.”
“It is indeed,” Piers agreed.
“I’ve asked Mrs.Riley to take on a few people from the village just now,” April said.
“That should work,” the constable said, clearly relieved.He seemed to be a conscientious man and helpful by nature.“They’re good people here.For the most part.”He bowed again and replaced his hat.“Very honoured to meet you, my lord, my lady.I’ll bid you good morning.”
He strode off again, no doubt about his business.
“For the most part,” Piers repeated.“Good people for the most part.”
“Do you suppose it was a warning?”April asked.
