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Updated: May 3, 2025
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."
Let us put them away for one hour of this glorious morning. Dare you play truant for a little while and walk on the sands?" "I think so," I answered readily, "if you will wait while I go and put Grooton in charge." "I will be scrambling down," she declared. "It is not a difficult operation." I joined her a few minutes later, and we set our faces toward the point of the bay.
Grooton brought in my tea, also a London morning paper which he had secured in the village. "I thought that you might be interested in the news about the Duke, sir," he said respectfully. "What news, Grooton?" I asked, stretching out my hand for the paper. "You will find a leading article on the second page, sir, and another in the money news. It reads quite extraordinary, sir."
I watched them until they disappeared, and then I entered my own abode and sat down mechanically before the lunch which Grooton had prepared. I ate and drank as one in a dream. Only last night Ray had said nothing about coming to Braster. Yet, there he was, without luggage, with his arm and head bound up. Just like this I expected to see the man whom I had struck last night.
"I have not seen or heard a soul," I told her. "I have just finished some work, and I am on my way up to the house with it." "You really mean it?" she persisted. "Of course I do," I answered her. "Grooton is the only person I have spoken to for at least nine hours. Why do you ask?" She hesitated.
"All right, Grooton," I muttered. "Hang the police!" I believe he said something else, but I never heard it. I was already fast asleep. About mid-day I was awakened by the dazzling sunshine which seemed to fill the room. I called for a bath, dressed, and made an excellent breakfast. Then I brought out my notebook and prepared for work.
"That I even wish to do so," I answered, "is purely an assumption." "You are fencing with me, young man," Lord Chelsford said grimly, "and it is not worth while. Hush!" There was a rap at the door downstairs. We heard the Duke's measured tones. "I understood that Lord Chelsford was here," he said. "Lord Chelsford has left, your Grace," Grooton answered. "And Mr. Hill?"
The man-servant whom the Duke had put in charge of the "Brand," my present habitation, and who remained with me always in the room while I worked, stood at my elbow. "I would like some coffee, Grooton," I said. "I am going to walk up to the house with these papers, and I shall want a bath and some breakfast directly I get back." "Very good, sir. It shall be ready."
He is said to have been a relative of yours with whom you were not on good terms, and the young lady who has just given this information to the police through her father states that she has remained silent up to now at your request." "I am supposed, then," I said, "to be concerned in this fellow's death?" "I have heard that opinion openly expressed, sir," Grooton assented, respectfully. I nodded.
"Thank you, Grooton," I said. "I shall be prepared then for anything that may happen. If you hear anything further let me know." "I shall not fail to do so, sir," he answered. He bowed and withdrew. Then as I lit my pipe and resumed my seat it suddenly occurred to me that the man who was chiefly concerned in this matter should at least be warned. I sat down at my desk and wrote to Ray.
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