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'Aunty has been as melancholy as an owl of late, retorted Mab, caressing the old lady; 'ever since the arrest of that man Mosk she has been quite wretched. 'Don't speak of him, Mab. 'Halloo! said George, with sudden recollection, 'I knew there was something else to tell you. Mosk is dead. Miss Whichello gave a faint shriek, and tightly clasped the hand of her niece.
'I'm sure I don't see why, aunty. This Jentham tramp wasn't a relative, you know. Miss Whichello shuddered, and, if possible, turned paler. 'He was a human being, Mab, she said, in a low voice, 'and it is terrible to think that the poor wretch, however evil he may have been, should have come to so miserable an end. Is it known who shot him, Captain Pendle?
Sir Harry Brace, our landlord, has been very kind in waiting, but we can't expect him to stand out of his money much longer. I'm afraid in the end we'll have to give up The Derby Winner. But it is no good my worrying you about our troubles, concluded Bell, in a more vivacious tone; 'what do you wish to see father about, Miss Whichello? Anything that I can do?
'From whose account, bishop? 'Mrs Pansey's for one. 'Father! cried Gabriel, 'surely you know that Mrs Pansey's gossip is most unreliable. 'Not in this instance, replied the bishop, promptly. 'Mrs Pansey told me some twenty-six years ago, when Miss Whichello brought her niece to this city, that the child's father was little better than a gaol-bird. 'Did she know him? asked George, sharply.
Being thus ignorant, it was not to be expected that her evidence would be of any value, so at her earnest request Tinkler held his tongue, and forebore to summon her as a witness. Miss Whichello was greatly relieved in her own mind when the inspector came to this conclusion, but she did not let Tinkler see her relief.
'That I cannot say, but she assured me that she spoke the truth. I paid no attention to her talk, nor did I question Miss Whichello on the subject. In those days it had no interest for me, but now that I find my son desires to marry the girl, I must refuse my consent until I learn all about her birth and parentage. 'Miss Whichello will tell us about that! said George, hopefully.
I heard that news this morning. 'Indeed! But the bishop only sent for Captain Pendle yesterday. 'Quite so; and Miss Arden received a telegram from Captain Pendle this morning. 'Ah! Miss Whichello, young love! young love! The little lady could have shaken Cargrim for the smirk with which he made this remark.
'Mab, my dear, you will excuse me, I am not very well; I shall go to my bedroom. 'Let me come too, aunty. 'No! no! Miss Whichello waved her niece back. 'I wish to be alone, and she left the room abruptly, without a look at either of the young people. They could not understand this strange behaviour. Mab, woman-like, turned on Captain Pendle.
'I should think so; he finishes a bottle of brandy every day. 'Oh, Miss Mosk, how very dreadful! cried Miss Whichello, quite in the style of Daisy Norsham. 'Why is he staying in Beorminster? 'I don't know, but it's for no good, you may be sure. If he isn't here he's hob-nobbing with those gipsy wretches who have a camp on Southberry Common. Mother Jael and he are always together.
'Do you mean to tell me that those creatures have a language of their own? asked Miss Whichello, disbelievingly. 'Why not? I daresay their ancestors made bricks on the plain of Shinar, and were lucky enough to gain a language without the trouble of learning it. 'You allude to the Tower of Babel, sir! said Mrs Pansey, with a scowl.
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