Jan came out of the manor on the way to his morning shooting practise and instead of the peaceful morning landscape he was used to his eyes fell on two strangers and Miss Heerkens.

New guests most likely, he told himself, but somehow he felt uneasy leaving the girl alone with them. It was an unreasonable reaction, of course, but it couldn't hurt to hang around and get to know them. If they were harmless gentlemen, it was merely friendly and if they weren't, his presence would surely keep them from molesting Miss Heerkens.

"Good Morning," he called out to the group.