He was brimming with satisfaction as he took their coats and hats in the hall. ‘I am delighted to tell you, my lord, my lady,’ he said, the moment they were disrobed, ‘that I have secured a translation of the words on the suspect emerald.’ ‘The devil you have!’ said Peter. ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant. And how, may I ask, did you do it?’ ‘As you know, m’lord, m’lady,’ said Bunter, almost smiling as he spoke, ‘I teach a WEA course in photography on Wednesday afternoons in Fulham.’ ‘I didn’t know that,’ said Harriet. ‘Beyond knowing that Wednesday was your afternoon off, I have never enquired.’ ‘Your ladyship is very considerate of my privacy,’ said Bunter. ‘But having had such satisfaction over many years in practising photography, and having been so often useful to his lordship in that way, I have been giving some time to helping others to the same satisfaction as I have had myself. I am completely self-taught, my lady, but of course Hope has been able to assist me in any matter in which I find myself at a loss.’ Harriet was distracted by the thought of Bunter at a loss, but Peter cut straight to the chase.
