the fact is, sir, this is an old part of England, with a lot of old houses about, old country seats, and the like. And families die out, and the stuff they've been accumulating for generations comes to auction, and a lot of it gets into these curio shops—that's how it's done, sir. Plenty of antiques in those shops, sir, but nothing to what there is in the old houses in the neighbourhood."
"Do you know a house near here called Palkeney Manor?" I asked, thinking that as this was an intelligent and communicative man I might as well improve my own knowledge. "There is such a place, I think?"
"Palkeney Manor, sir!" he answered readily. "To be sure, sir! Three miles out—fine old house that is—sort of showplace; you can look round it by paying a shilling—all our American customers go there, and the shillings go to the local charities. Oh, yes! that was old Mr. Matthew Palkeney's. Dead now, he is, and they do say that the lawyers don't know who the property belongs to—haven't found out yet, anyway. Fine property it is, too. Queer old gentleman, old Mr. Palkeney!—and that
