Part 15 (1/2)
”Now, Mr. Belknap, I am at your disposal for a short time; fate seems against my obtaining the rest I came out here to seek, but _your_ business is in my interest, and I am not ungrateful; you wished to say something about my servants.”
”I wish to question your servants separately, Miss Wardour.”
Constance opened her eyes in quick surprise, then she answered quietly:
”To question my servants! Oh, certainly, Mr. Belknap; when, and where?”
”This evening would suit me; I am going to look about the surrounding country during the day.”
”This evening then, after dinner; will that suit you?”
”Admirably, say at half past eight;” and having completed his arrangements in this business-like manner, Mr. Belknap asked permission to pa.s.s through the orchard, received it, and, bowing gravely, went through the wicket, and walked swiftly between the rows of apple trees straight northward.
At six o'clock that evening, Miss Wardour sent for the gardener.
”Simon,” she said sweetly to the cross looking old man, ”I engaged a new man to-day, perhaps you have seen him. I don't expect he can be very useful to you just at first, and I want you to give him very light tasks, and treat him kindly; he is a very unfortunate man. If we find that we can't make him useful after a few days' trial, we will pay him a month's wages and let him go. That will help him a little.”
Then she sent for the new man.
”I thought you might wish to hear the latest report from Mr. Belknap,”
she said graciously. ”If I am to be your ally, I intend to keep nothing back; but I can't help fearing that he may suspect your ident.i.ty.”
”You need not,” he replied with confident ease. ”He has every reason for supposing me in California at this moment; besides, he does not know me well enough to be able to recognize me under a good disguise; our acquaintance,” he added dryly, ”has been somewhat one sided, with the advantage so far on my side. When I told you that I knew Mr. Belknap well, I did not intend to imply that he knew me equally well.”
”Then I will trouble myself no more about the matter,” said she lightly.
”Mr. Belknap wishes to examine the servants, that is what I wished to tell you.”
”Very proper in Mr. Belknap.”
”Oh! is it? I thought it very absurd. My servants are honesty itself.”
”So much the better; Mr. Belknap knows how to go to work, Miss Wardour, pray feel no prejudice.”
”Oh, not at all,” ironically. ”Now about the report. Be within easy call to-morrow morning, please, I think we will have it then.”
”Thanks.”
”I suppose it will be best to have you present, that is, within hearing.
I will arrange that the interview will take place in the dining room, and can easily get you into the butler's room adjoining, where William sleeps; this room was arranged with a view to the overlooking of the dining room, and plate closet, as you discovered for yourself; from there you can both hear and see.”
”So much the better.” Then admiringly, he added, ”Miss Wardour you are a splendid ally; you have thought of everything.”
She laughed; then answered with artful frankness: ”I am trying to get back into my normal condition. I have been out of balance somehow, ever since this business commenced; have been as testy as an old woman of eighty. It is time I began to redeem myself. But I must not detain you.
I see you begin to look uneasy. Until to-morrow, I commend you to the tender mercies of Simon and the cook.”
”I wonder how that man looks, devoid of all disguise,” mused she, after he had withdrawn. ”I don't believe he is tow-haired and freckled by nature. I wonder what has become of poor Sybil's letter; and if I had better ask his aid in finding it. But he is going away so soon. Now that I reflect, soberly, what motive could Doctor Heath possibly have for taking that letter? I think I must have been mad, or in hysteria. The man may be an imposter, a man of mystery, and all that; but why must I accuse him of taking a letter that could be of no possible use to him. I had worked myself into a rage. Well, it's done; I can't recall it.