Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: October 10, 2025
"I think your lordship must see that that is very unlikely without collusion between Horbury and herself," remarked Gabriel. "Mrs. Carswell," said Joseph, "has always been more or less of a mysterious person. We know nothing about her. I don't even know where Horbury got her from.
Gabriel, who had assumed his stereotyped expression of calm attention under this tornado of questions, motioned Joseph to place a chair for the young lady. But Miss Fosdyke shook her head and returned to the attack. "Please don't keep anything back!" she said. "I am not of the fainting-to-order type of young woman. Just say what is the matter, if you please. Mrs. Carswell knows no more "
Anyway, she was a fine, handsome woman tall, perfectly shaped, with glossy black hair and dark eyes, and a firm, resolute mouth. It was rarely that Mrs. Carswell went out; when she did, she was easily the best-looking woman in Scarnham. Few Scarnham people, however, had the chance of cultivating her acquaintance; Mrs.
But I am surprised he's not back here first thing this morning." "So am I," agreed Neale. "And more than surprised." He stood for a moment, running over the list of the manager's friends and acquaintances in the neighbourhood, and he shook his head as he came to the end of his mental reckoning of it. "It's very odd," he remarked. "Very surprising, Mrs. Carswell."
And just within he came face to face with the housekeeper, Mrs. Carswell. Mrs. Carswell had kept house for Mr. John Horbury for some years Neale remembered her from boyhood. He had always been puzzled about her age. Of late, since he knew more of grown-up folk, he had been still more puzzled. Sometimes he thought she was forty; sometimes he was sure she could not be more than thirty-two or three.
"Worked it out," answered Neale. "This way! Hollis comes down to Scarnham to see Chestermarke's Bank which means one of the partners. He rings up the bank. He speaks to somebody there. How do we know that somebody was Horbury? We don't! It may have been Mrs. Carswell. Now supposing the real person Hollis wanted to see was either Gabriel or Joseph Chestermarke?
"What is the meaning of all this reserve on the Chestermarkes' part? Why didn't they tell the police what securities are missing? Why don't they let you, his niece, examine Horbury's effects? What right have they to fasten up his house?" "Their house so Mrs. Carswell says," remarked Betty.
Where are the jewels? Where are those securities? And where is Horbury! Answer! without lying. You devil! I tell you I know know! I have seen Mrs. Carswell!" Gabriel had moved a little as he went on speaking moved nearer to his nephew, still pointing the incriminating and accusing finger at him. And Joseph had moved, too backward. He was watching his uncle with a queer expression.
And we thought naught of it, then leastways, what we did think was that it was Mr. Horbury. He often came in very late. But when we found out next morning that he'd never come home why, then, we did think it was queer that we'd heard noises." "Did you mention that to Mrs. Carswell?" asked Polke. "Of course! but she said she'd heard nothing, and it must have been rats," replied the elder woman.
It was very evident that she was afraid. But of what? "So far as I know," continued Betty, "this is my uncle's house, and you're his servant. Am I right or wrong, Mrs. Carswell?" "Right as regards my being engaged by Mr. Horbury," replied the housekeeper. "But the house belongs to them! Mr. Horbury so I understand had the use of it it was reckoned as part of his salary. It's their house, miss."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking