I´m not so sure about the humour being queer, it is certainly dry. I really like the dialogue in this section, particularly the way Sam tests the waters with his mode of questioning Thorkel.  you said in your comments

I use the word queer in the original sense of odd or peculiar, as I said in my translation I found it odd in the extreme of Thorkell wanting his poor brother given such a rude awakening, and I added that my Stepfather had that sense of humour. Even down to sending in the old boy first, that seems mean. But again many thanks

Patricia