"Aye, well, and Salter Quick's been in quarters of that sort in his time," he observed, with a glance that suggested infinite meaning. "He has, so! But this ain't no desert island, master. I can see they ain't short of good grub and sound liquor here!" He made his usual jerk of the thumb--this time in the direction of the landlord, who just then came back with a well-filled tray. And presently, first removing his cap and saying his grace in a devout fashion, he sat down and began to eat with an evidently sharp-set appetite. Trifling with my bread and cheese, I turned to the landlord. "This is a very lonely spot," I said. "I was surprised to see a licensed house here. Where do you get your customers?" "Ah, you wouldn't see it as you came along," replied the landlord. "I saw you coming--you came from Alnmouth way. There's a village just behind here--it 'ud be hidden from you by this headland at back of the house--goodish-sized place. Plenty o' custom from that, o' nights. And of course there's folks going along, north and south." Quick, his weather-stained cheeks bulging with his food, looked up sharply. "A village, says you!" he exclaimed. "Then if a village, a church. And if a church, a churchyard. There is a churchyard, ain't there?" "Why, there is a church, and there's a churchyard to it," replied the landlord. "What o' that?" Quick nodded at me. "As I been explaining to this gentleman," he said, "churchyards is what I'm looking for. Graves in 'em, you understand. And on them graves, a name. Name of Netherfield. Now I asks you, friendly--ha' you ever seen that name in your churchyard? 'Cause if so I'm at anchor. For the time being." "Well, I haven't," answered the landlord. "But our churchyard--Lord bless you, there's scores o' them flat stones in it that's covered with long grass--there might be that name on some of 'em, for aught I know; I've never looked 'em over, I'm sure. But----" Just then there came into the parlour a man, who from his rough dress, appeared to be a cattle-drover or a shepherd. Claigue turned to him with a glance that seemed to indicate him as authority. "Here's one as lives by that churchyard," he observed. "Jim! ha' you ever noticed the name of Netherfield on any o' them old gravestones up yonder? This gentleman's asking after it, and I know you mow that churchyard grass time and again." "Never seen it!" answered the new-comer. "But--strange things!--there was a man come up to me the other night, this side o' Lesbury, and asked that very question--not o' these parts, he wasn't. But--" He stopped at that. Salter Quick dropped his knife and fork with a clatter, and held up his right hand. CHAPTER II RAVENSDENE COURT