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Tufnell, the staid old butler, who had inherited his place from his father, bowed gravely, and answered decorously: "Everything is quite right, ma'am." Miss Heredith walked slowly round the spacious table, adjusting a knife here, a fork there, and giving an added touch to the table decorations.
She did think of them, and she persuaded other friends to think of them, to such good purpose that she soon found herself in possession of funds sufficient to begin the work. As we have seen, her energetic servant and fellow-worker, Mr Thomas Tufnell, was sent out to Egypt to select a site for the building.
The man stopped as he walked along the carriage drive, and looked towards the tree where I was crouching. He called out 'Who is there? I recognized his voice. It was Tufnell, the butler. I thought I was discovered, and crept into some undergrowth, but in a moment he walked on. "I remained hidden in the undergrowth for some time an hour or more.
Late as the hour was, Tufnell was up awaiting their arrival, with a light supper and wine set ready in a small room off the library.
When his cracking throat incontinently took intervals of rest, he prayed to God for the school, visioning God on his throne on the school goalposts and mentioning to Him the players whose names he knew: "Oh, let Barnwell get in his kick! Oh, do let Harris see they're heeling the ball! Oh, help Tufnell to get that man! Help him! Help him! Schoo-o-ool! Schoo-oo-ool! Schoo-oo-ool!" Doo-da! Doo-da!
Colwyn nodded his comprehension, and Tufnell left the room with a relieved countenance. A few moments later there was another knock at the door. In response to Colwyn's invitation the door opened, and Musard appeared. "Tufnell said you wished to see me," he said, with an inquiring glance from beneath his dark brows. "Yes. I should be glad if you would give me a description of the missing necklace.
"Were all your guests in the dining-room at the time the scream and the shot were heard?" he asked. "They were all there when I left the room. The butler can tell you if any left afterwards." "I will question Tufnell on that point later. No, on second thoughts, it will be better to settle it now. I attach importance to it."
Apparently he realized the indignity of such a course in the presence of a member of the public, so he turned to Tufnell and said: "I'll go with you, but I must first put on my tunic." "Be as quick as you can," said the butler, taking a chair. Sergeant Lumbe went into an inner room, where his wife followed him. Tufnell heard them whispering as they moved about.
She does not wish to be disturbed she asked me to tell you so." Miss Heredith glanced at her watch. "Dear me, it is nearly half-past six! I must go. Tufnell is so dilatory when quickness is requisite." "Did you remind Violet about the necklace?" asked Phil, as his aunt turned to leave the library. "Yes. She said she would send it down in the morning, before Vincent leaves."
That meal he took with Sir Philip and Miss Heredith in the faded state of the big dining-room three decorous figures at a brightly lit oasis of snowy linen and silver, with the sober black of Tufnell in the background. Sir Philip greeted Colwyn with his tired smile of welcome.
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