Part 28 (1/2)
”It was the Gartley children's father,” exclaimed Gwethyn, taking Githa's arm, not so much for protection as for a sense of companions.h.i.+p in the dark. ”I've always heard he's a dreadful poacher. I think he's such a hateful, insolent kind of man. I'm thankful he didn't see us.”
”So am I. It will serve them right if the keepers catch them.”
”Could you understand what they were talking about?”
”You mean what they said about Grandfather and the Grange? It was most mysterious.”
”Gartley certainly dropped a hint about a panel.”
”Yes, but I couldn't make out the rest, or what he wanted Albert to help him with.”
”You don't think that your grandfather could have hidden some money in the panelling, and that Bob Gartley saw him do it?”
”If he did, the money certainly wouldn't be there now! Considering the house has been empty for about three years, Gartley must have had every opportunity of going in and taking it, and I scarcely think he'd be restrained by conscientious scruples.”
”Hardly!”
”No, there was something more--some secret that he didn't want to tell even to 'Albert'.”
”If only they hadn't gone away just at that identical minute!” groaned Gwethyn. ”It was too tantalizing, when we seemed on the very point of learning something. It must be important, or he wouldn't make such a mystery of it, and talk about its being to his advantage. Do you think his wife knows, and that we could get her to tell us?”
”No, she's too much afraid of him.”
”But if we tried bribery and corruption? He himself might perhaps be induced to part with the information.”
”He spoke of a 'risky job', which certainly means something dishonest.
In that case I'm sure he wouldn't reveal a word.”
”If we were to tell the police, could they make him confess?”
”No, he'd simply deny everything flatly.”
”Then what can we do?”
”Nothing as regards him, I'm afraid. We might as well investigate at the Grange, though. Shall we get up early to-morrow, and ride over on our bikes before breakfast? I don't suppose we shall find anything, but if you like we'll go and look.”
”I'm your man!” responded Gwethyn eagerly.
Of the two girls Gwethyn was the more excited. Her romantic imagination at once made her plan all sorts of delightful possibilities. They were to find an immense fortune at the Grange, of which her friend would be the heiress! Who knew what treasures might be h.o.a.rded somewhere behind the panelling? Githa, whose natural disposition was not sanguine, and who had already tasted some of the hard experiences of life, shook her head at her school-mate's golden dreams, and stuck to her former contention--if Bob Gartley was aware that money was hidden in the old house, he certainly would not have let it remain there for long.
Nevertheless, Githa was anxious to explore, just to satisfy herself that there was really nothing to find. She would not admit the weakness, however, and pretended that the early morning expedition was a concession to her friend's impatience.
The girls decided not to tell a word to anybody of what they had overheard. They did not mention to Mrs. Ledbury that they had been in the plantation; and Githa, when reproved by her aunt for staying out so late, merely explained that she had been showing Gwethyn the church.
With an injunction to keep to the garden in future after supper, Mrs.
Ledbury pa.s.sed the matter over.
Githa was a habitual early riser, but next morning she excelled herself, and called her friend almost as soon as it was light. At five o'clock they were getting their bicycles from the stable. Githa, mindful of her pets' healthy appet.i.tes, chalked a notice on the door asking the gardener to feed them as soon as he arrived.