Part 28 (1/2)
”DEAR SIR,--I regret to be compelled to inform you that you will have to look for another a.s.sistant, as important business calls me away for an indefinite period. Do not give yourself any trouble concerning the salary which you kindly offered me. I am not in need of it, and have only been too glad to render you the little a.s.sistance within my power, knowing, as I do, that you have no easy case on your hands.
”Trusting we shall meet in the future, I am, with great esteem,
”Very truly yours, ”H. SCOTT.
As Mr. Whitney read and reread this note, the words of the detective regarding the private secretary were recalled to his mind, and he muttered,--
”Yes, Merrick was right. It is very evident the young man is not 'looking for a job;' but I'll be blessed if I know what to think of him!”
Upon Mr. Whitney's return to Fair Oaks, he found the guests a.s.sembled on the veranda, overlooking the river, Mr. Merrick, who had just returned from a few days' absence, being also included in the company.
There were many exclamations of surprise and considerable comment when Mr. Whitney told of the sudden disappearance of the secretary.
”Now, that is too bad!” cried Edith Thornton. ”He was so interesting, and we were all beginning to like him so much.”
”I don't know that any of us were so charmed with him as one might be led to suppose from your remark, Edith,” said Isabel Mainwaring, with a disdainful glance towards the attorney, who had seated himself beside Miss Carleton; ”but here, almost any one will answer for a diversion, and he was really quite entertaining.”
”It is not to be expected that you would see or appreciate his good points,” said her brother, with half a sneer; ”but Scott is a fine fellow and a gentleman, and I shall miss him awfully.”
Miss Carleton remained silent; but for some reason, unexplainable to herself, she was conscious of a vague sense of disappointment and injury. She would not admit to herself that she was troubled because Scott had gone, it was the manner of his departure. Surely, after the friends.h.i.+p and confidence she had shown him, he might at least have sent some word of farewell, instead of leaving as he had, apparently without a thought of her. However, she chatted graciously with Mr. Whitney, though, all the while, a proud, dark face with strangely beautiful eyes persistently forced itself before her mental vision, nearly obliterating the smiling face of the attorney.
Meanwhile, Ralph Mainwaring was giving the detective his views on the subject.
”I, for one, am not sorry that he has followed the example of the coachman and taken himself off. It is my opinion,” he continued, in impressive tones, ”that we will yet find he had reasons for leaving in this manner.”
”Undoubtedly!” Merrick replied, with equal emphasis.
”Now, that's just where you're wrong, governor,” said young Mainwaring. ”Scott is as good as gold. There is no sneak about him, either; and if he had reasons for leaving as he has, they were nothing to his discredit; you can stake your last s.h.i.+lling on that!”
”Oh, I know he has pulled the wool over your eyes,” said his father; ”but he has never tried his smooth games on me; he knows I can see through him. I detest him. One of your typical American swells!
Just what one would expect to find in a country where a common clerk is allowed to a.s.sociate with gentlemen!”
”But, begging your pardon, Mr. Mainwaring,” the detective interposed, quietly, ”Mr. Scott is not an American. He has lived less than two years in this country.”
A chorus of exclamations followed this statement.
”Not an American! Then he must be an Englishman,” cried Miss Carleton, her sparkling eyes unconsciously betraying her pleasure at the discovery.
”Merrick, are you sure of that?” inquired Mr. Whitney, in astonishment.
”Certainly, or I would never have made the a.s.sertion I did.”
Ralph Mainwaring suddenly turned the conversation. ”How about that will business, Mr. Whitney? When will that come off?”
”The pet.i.tion was filed this afternoon, and will be granted a hearing some time next week; I have not yet learned the day.”
”And then will you gentlemen be ready to start for home?” Mrs.
Mainwaring inquired, a touch of impatience in her voice.
”Well, by my soul! I should say not,” laughed Mr. Thornton, before her husband could reply. ”It will probably take a number of months, my dear madam, to settle up this estate, even if there should be no contest; and if the case is contested, it may drag on for years, eh, Mr. Whitney?”