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Updated: June 4, 2025
Lord Barminster was about to sharply retort when Shelton, who seemed to realise the seriousness of the affair, touched him lightly on the arm. "I think, sir," he said earnestly, "it would be as well to hear what this man has to say quietly, as he suggests."
But before any one could utter a word, the inspector came forward, and addressing Lord Barminster, said quietly: "Sorry, my lord, to have to do this at such a time but I am here in the performance of my duty. I should be glad if we could go to a more private room, where I could explain to your lordship without your guests being informed of the matter."
His hand fell on the balustrade in his unconscious despair; and at that moment, another window farther down the long balcony opened, and the figure of Lord Barminster stepped out into the moonlight.
He turned to his aunt. "Why not have Barminster House, Aunt Penelope?" This was the town house, supposed to be given up almost exclusively to the young man's use, though he generally inhabited his own chambers in Jermyn Street. "I will hand it over to you from cellar to attic, and will bind myself to be your faithful slave from early morn to dewy eve." His aunt laughed.
"Thank you, my lord," returned Mr. Harker gratefully. Seating himself, he waited patiently for the arrival of Miss Lester and Jessica, secretly congratulating himself on the success of his interview. The time passed quickly; and, while waiting, Lord Barminster and Mortimer Shelton held a hurried consultation with him as to the best method of exposing Vermont.
Then, having seen her companion installed with his newspaper, she passed out to the terrace. To the astonishment of every one in Barminster Castle, some few hours later, Mr. Vermont reappeared. In his turn he seemed quite as surprised when he learned that Leroy had already returned to London. "Gone," he echoed, "just a few hours ago? Dear! dear!
"Yes, sir," replied Adrien, "I want to have a look at 'King Cole." With a friendly nod, he ran lightly down the wide oak staircase and disappeared in the direction of the stables. For a few moments Lord Barminster stood gazing after him, his stern face relaxed, his keen eyes softened. Adrien was more to him than all his possessions, which were vast enough to have provided for a dozen sons.
Carefully locking the scrap of paper away, she descended into the morning-room, where Lord Barminster was already seated at the breakfast-table. His grim face softened at the entry of the girl he had always looked upon as a daughter, and loved even more intensely if that were possible now that he meant to win her for his son's bride.
Shelton laughed; but he knew his host's ideas on this subject, and was apt to respect them. "So much the better, sir," he said in a cheerful tone; "I am a bit tired of the smell of petrol myself. Give me Nature without a corset." "You'll certainly get that here," Lord Barminster replied, favouring his young guest with an approving glance.
"It will not be an easy task, my lord," he ventured to say to Lord Barminster as he took his departure, "but I will do my best, and will have opinion of the highest counsel obtainable." They were soon ready to undertake the return journey, and before parting with the kindly inspector, Lord Barminster very warmly thanked him.
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