‘Well, then, you old you, you,’ said Ed. The robin cocked an eye sideways, and, apparently not caring much for Obury and Jonathan, flew into a bush from which he continued to watch the three men.

‘Very tame, aren’t they, robins?’ said Obury, packing up his traps.

‘Ah,’ agreed Ed. ‘This wood be full of they grey squirrels, too. Will North, he shoots ’em. Pests they be, he says. Queer how nature prey on nature. Parson talk about the brotherhood of man, but Nature know better, I reckon.’

‘How do you mean?’ enquired Obury. But Ed had shot his bolt, and made haste to change the subject. At least, Jonathan thought that the subject was changed, but his aunt, when she heard of it, thought otherwise.

‘I see Mr Bill Fullalove, day he died,’ Ed observed. ‘Didn’t he used to come out along of you to study these here old badgers?’

‘Once or twice, yes, I believe he did come along,’ Obury agreed.

‘Ah,’ said Ed, nodding. ‘Many’s the time I see you and him together, up along over here. Ah, many’s and many’s the time.’

‘Not as many times as all that,’ retorted Obury. ‘I don’t suppose I was out with Mr Bill Fullalove half a dozen times altogether.’

‘Well, ’tweren’t Mr Tiny you was out with,’ countered Ed. Obury glanced at him sharply, but the carter’s serene face gave no sign that he was arguing the point. Jonathan, deeply interested in what was, in effect, a dispute, took no obvious notice. Ed left them at the bottom of the wood, and Jonathan took Obury home to dinner. Mansell also was expected, and turned up in good time for the sherry.

Mansell had great things to report.

‘I believe I’ve struck something really good,’ he said. ‘You know where that road goes up by the side of the village pub and becomes a narrow lane? Well, I don’t know how much you know of the country beyond it? Can one get round that way?’

‘It makes a pretty good walk,’ said Jonathan. ‘You’ve got to go the hell of a long way if you don’t want to come back by the same path.’

‘Oh, but there is a way round, is there? I wish you’d come with me tomorrow. I’ve spotted a most useful place for my trial dig into the hill just north of the long barrow up there. I’ll show you. And then you can take me for the round tour. I’d like that immensely.’

‘Good idea,’ said Jonathan. ‘It’s wonderful weather for it, too. Rather different from the last time you were here.’

‘Yes, rather. Anything more come up about that business?’

‘Nothing of any significance,’ said Mrs Bradley, before her nephew could reply. ‘Some young woman – probably an imposter – is making an attempt to claim Bill Fullalove’s money.’