Part 3 (1/2)
Again Warwick shook his head.
”As I have said, Morse is not of a confiding nature. He keeps his affairs to himself.”
Ashton-Kirk laid his half-burned cigar upon a bronze sh.e.l.l; and as he did so his eyes fell once more upon the drawing of the crowned woman. A sudden tightening about his mouth showed a fresh interest; taking up the drawing he examined it with eager attention. At length he said:
”Previous to the first visit of Karkowsky at Sharsdale--Morse had never experienced any of the things of which you told me?”
”No.”
”You are sure of this?”
”Positive. Old Nanon would have been sure to have heard of them. She has been with him since he was a child.”
”You have mentioned that Dr. Morse is possessed of means. Did he inherit this, or did he acc.u.mulate it himself?”
”He inherited it from his father.”
”Have you ever heard anything uncommon of the father? Any of the sort of things which you have just mentioned?”
”No. According to Nanon he was an extraordinarily gentle and simple-minded man.”
”Has Dr. Morse ever traveled in the East?”
”In Egypt and the Holy Lands when a young man, seeking material for his anti-religious lectures. Then, of course, there was the war in Manchuria.”
”Have you ever heard him express any opinion as to Orientals?”
”Only that they were intelligent and in many ways capable. The j.a.panese he only came within musket shot of, but,” with a smile, ”he thinks them very competent fighters.”
Ashton-Kirk joined in the smile.
”A remarkable race,” he said, ”and one of whom the last word has not yet been spoken.”
Here Warwick arose and Ashton-Kirk pressed the bell for Stumph.
”This,” said the secret agent, ”promises to be a very interesting matter; and, it so happens, one that falls in with my inclinations at this time.”
”You will undertake it then?” eagerly.
”With pleasure.”
Stumph held open the door that the caller might depart.
”In behalf of Miss Corbin,” said Warwick, earnestly, ”I thank you.” He hesitated a moment, and then said: ”Before making a definite start in the matter, I suppose it will be necessary for you to visit us at Eastbury. I confess that rather puzzles me. You see, I would not have Dr. Morse----”
”Rest easy as to that,” Ashton-Kirk a.s.sured him; ”we need tell him nothing.”
”When will you come?”