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Updated: June 14, 2025
It was not altogether a cheerful party. Lady Angela left us the moment Blenavon produced his cigarette-case. "Do not stay too long, Mr. Ducaine," she said, as I held the door open for her. "I want a lesson at billiards." I bowed and returned to my seat. Blenavon was leaning back in his chair, smoking thoughtfully.
His whole attention seemed fixed upon the curling wreath of blue smoke which hung between us. "He died, I suppose," he continued, "when you were about twelve years old." I nodded. "My uncle," I said, "gave me a holiday and a sovereign to spend. He told me that a great piece of good fortune had happened to me." Colonel Ray smiled grimly. "That was like old Stephen Ducaine," he remarked.
Bring Mr. Ducaine along, Blanche." I held out my hand. "I am sorry that I cannot stop, Mrs. Moyat," I said. "Good-afternoon, Miss Moyat." She looked me in the eyes. "You are not going," she murmured. "I am afraid," I answered, "that it is imperative. I ought to have been at Rowchester long ago. We are too near neighbours, though, not to see something of one another again before long."
She looked at me for a moment inquiringly out of her soft dark eyes. I made no sign. She turned away to the Prince. "If you are sure that you can walk without pain," she said. "We will not trouble you, Mr. Ducaine," she added, as I moved to open the door. So they left me alone, and I was not sure whether the honours remained with him or with me.
Grooton and I helped him to the cottage. He hobbled painfully along with tightly clenched lips. "I shall have to ask for a pony cart to get up to the house, I am afraid," he said. "I am very sorry to give you so much trouble, Mr. Ducaine." "The trouble is nothing,". I answered, "but I am wondering how on earth you managed to fall over the cliff."
Ducaine," he said, "I have come to ask you to explain the sudden departure of my son for abroad." I was taken aback, and I dare say I showed it. "I have already told Lady Angela all that I know," I said. "My daughter's story," the Duke answered, "is incoherent. It tells me only enough to make me sure that something is being concealed." I glanced at Lady Angela. She was looking white and troubled.
"It is unnecessary for you to ask me that, sir," I answered quietly. "Colonel Ray will doubtless have some explanation. He is a man of vigorous temper, and I fancy that Lord Blenavon was not quite himself." The Duke rose to his feet. "If you are ready, Angela," he said, "we will not detain Mr. Ducaine further." "You will allow me to walk with you to the house, sir," I begged. He shook his head.
I left the room a few minutes afterwards, and came face to face in the hall with Lady Angela. "I am glad, Mr. Ducaine," she remarked, "that your early morning labours have given you an appetite. You have been in to breakfast, have you not?" "Your father was good enough to insist upon it," I answered. "You have seen him already this morning, then?" "For a few minutes only," I explained.
"I suppose you brought some men with you?" "Half a dozen," Lord Blenavon answered, "including his Royal Highness." The Duke thrust all his letters into his drawer, and locked them up with a little exclamation of relief. "I will come down with you," he said. "Mr. Ducaine, you will join us."
"There is nothing more which you wish to ask me?" "There is a suggestion I should like to make, sir, with regard to the disposal of my finished work," I told him. "Go on, Mr. Ducaine. I shall be glad to listen to it." There was a knock at the door. Lord Chelsford held up his finger. "Send it me in writing," he said in a low tone, "to-morrow. Come in!" Ray entered.
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