Scarhaven Keep by J. S. Fletcher (best value ebook reader TXT) 📕

“He did. Mr. Greyle gave as his reason that the north does not suit him, and that he wishes to buy an estate in the south of England. He approached Lord Altmore first because it is well-known that the Altmores have always been anxious to extend their own borders to the coast.”

“Does Lord Altmore want to buy?” asked Gilling.

“It is very evident that he would be quite willing to buy,” said Mrs. Greyle.

“What made him come to you,” continued Gilling. “He must have had some reason?”

“He had a reason,” Mrs. Greyle answered, with a glance at Audrey. “He knows the family history, of course⁠—he is very well aware that my daughter is at present the heir apparent. He therefore thought we ought to know of this offer. But that is not quite all. Lord Altmore has, of course, read the accounts of the inquest in this morning’s paper. Also his steward was present at the inquest. And from what he has read, and from what his steward told him, Lord Altmore thinks there is something wrong⁠—he thinks, for instance, that Marston Greyle should explain this mystery about the meeting with Bassett Oliver in America. At any rate, he will go no further in any negotiations until that mystery is properly cleared up. Shall I tell you what Lord Altmore said on that point? He said⁠—”

“Is it worth while, mother?” interrupted Audrey. “It was only his opinion.”

“It is worth while⁠—amongst ourselves⁠—” insisted Mrs. Greyle. “Why not? Lord Altmore said⁠—in so many words⁠—‘I have a sort of uneasy feeling, after reading the evidence at that inquest, and hearing what my steward’s impressions were, that this man calling himself Marston Greyle may not be Marston Greyle at all and I shall want good proof that he is before I even consider the proposal he has made to me.’ There! So⁠—what’s to be done?”

“The law, ma’am,” observed Mr. Dennie, solemnly, “the law must step in. You must get an injunction, ma’am, to prevent Mr. Marston Greyle from dealing with the property until his own title to it has been established. That, at any rate, is my opinion.”

“May I ask a question?” said Copplestone who had been listening and thinking intently. “Did Lord Altmore say when this offer was made to him?”

“Yes,” replied Mrs. Greyle. “A week ago.”

“A week ago!” exclaimed Copplestone. “That is, before last Sunday⁠—before the Bassett Oliver episode. Then⁠—the offer to sell is quite independent of that affair!”

“Strange⁠—and significant!” muttered Gilling.

He rose from his chair and looked at his watch.

“Well,” he went on, “I am going off to London. Will you give me leave, Mrs. Greyle, to report all this to Sir Cresswell Oliver and Mr. Petherton? They ought to know.”

“I’m going, too,” declared Copplestone, also rising. “Mrs. Greyle, I’m sure will entrust the whole matter to us. And Mr. Dennie will trust us with those papers.”

“Oh, certainly, certainly!” asserted Mr. Dennie, pushing his packet across the table. “Take care of ’em, my boy!⁠—ye don’t know how important they may turn out to be.”

“And⁠—Mrs. Greyle?” asked Copplestone.

“Tell whatever you think it best to tell,” replied Mrs. Greyle. “My own opinion is that a lot will have to be told⁠—and to come out, yet.”

“We can catch a train in three-quarters of an hour, Copplestone,” said Gilling. “Let’s get back and settle up with Mrs. Wooler and be off.”

Copplestone contrived to draw Audrey aside.

“This isn’t goodbye,” he whispered, with a meaning look. “You’ll see me back here before many days are over. But listen⁠—if anything happens here, if you want anybody’s help⁠—in any way⁠—you know what I mean⁠—promise you’ll wire to me at this address. Promise!⁠—or I won’t go.”

“Very well,” said Audrey, “I promise. But⁠—why shall you come back?”

“Tell you when I come,” replied Copplestone with another look. “But⁠—I shall come⁠—and soon. I’m only going because I want to be of use⁠—to you.”

An hour later he and Gilling were on their way to London, and from opposite corners of a compartment which they had contrived to get to themselves, they exchanged looks.

“This is a queer business, Copplestone!” said Gilling. “It strikes me it’s going to be a big one, too. And⁠—it’s coming to a point round Squire Greyle.”

“Do you think your man will have tracked him?” asked Copplestone.

“It will be the first time Swallow’s ever lost sight of anybody if he hasn’t,” answered Gilling. “He’s a human ferret! However, I wired to him just before we left, telling him to meet me at King’s Cross, so we’ll get his report. Oh, he’ll have followed him all right⁠—I don’t imagine for a moment that Greyle is trying to evade anybody, at this juncture, at any rate.”

But when⁠—four hours later⁠—the train drew into King’s Cross⁠—and Gilling’s partner, a young and sharp-looking man, presented himself, it was with a long and downcast face and a lugubrious shake of the head.

“Done!⁠—for the first time in my life!” he growled in answer to Gilling’s eager inquiry. “Lost him! Never failed before⁠—as you know. Well, it had to come, I suppose⁠—can’t go on without an occasional defeat. But⁠—I’m a bit licked as to the whole thing⁠—unless your man is dodging somebody. Is he?”

“Tell your tale,” commanded Gilling, motioning Copplestone to follow him and Swallow aside.

“I was up here in good time this afternoon to meet his train,” reported Swallow. “I spotted him and his man at once; no difficulty, as your description of both was so full. They were together while the luggage was got out; then he, Greyle, gave some instructions to the man and left him. He himself got into a taxicab; I got into another close behind and gave its driver certain orders. Greyle drove straight to the Fragonard Club⁠—you know.”

“Ah!” exclaimed Gilling. “Did he, now? That’s worth knowing.”

“What’s the Fragonard Club?” asked Copplestone. “Never heard of it.”

“Club of folk connected with the stage and the music halls,” answered Gilling, testily. “In a side street, off Shaftesbury Avenue⁠—tell you more of it, later. Go on, Swallow.”

“He paid off his driver there, and went in,” continued Swallow. “I paid mine and hung about⁠—there’s only one entrance and exit to that spot, as you