Grabbing what he had announced, as well as a bucket for good measure, he returned upstairs, wincing slightly at the sight of the damp trail he had left on his way.

Jan hastily took off his shoes and socks and rolled up his trousers even though they were already wet.

"How long have you been living here?" he asked in surprise when Benjamin returned with the cleaning supplies. Jan wouldn't have had any idea where to look for them. "I thought Miss Heerkens does all the cleaning."

"A couple of weeks," Methos volunteered. "I felt like taking an extended holiday from the Game."

Jan sighed. He knew when Benjamin had arrived. He had to pass his room every time he left his own, after all. He'd have felt him.

"A working holiday, I guess."