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Updated: May 3, 2025
Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given. And yet, it was not disagreeable to picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended to no purpose.
Perhaps it had been the lack of interest in the people at Shotover, perhaps a mental review of her ancestors' capricious records perhaps a characteristic impulse that had directed a telegram to Quarrier after a midnight confab with Grace Ferrall. However it may have been, she had summoned him.
I happened, an hour ago, to catch a most alarming rumour. Mr. Quarrier, your wife will be your ruin!" Notwithstanding the tone of burlesque, Lilian turned pale, and Quarrier stood frowning. Mrs. Wade examined them both, her bright eyes glancing quickly from one face to the other and back again. She did not continue, until Quarrier exclaimed impatiently: "What is it now?"
None the less it paused at this house, and she was startled to perceive a telegraph messenger on the point of knocking. At once she hastened to the front door. "Mrs. Quarrier?" inquired the boy, holding out his missive. Lilian drew back with it into the passage. But there was not light enough to read by; she had to enter the sitting-room and hold the sheet of paper close to the kettle-lamp.
Presently she turned her horse and Quarrier wheeled his, facing a warm, fine rain, slanting thickly from the south. His silky, Vandyke beard was all wet with the moisture.
And she told him the story of the morning as briefly as possible. Her endeavour to keep a tone of perfect equanimity failed in the course of the narrative; once or twice there was a catching in her breath, and, as if annoyed with herself, she made an impatient gesture. "And this fellow," cried Quarrier, when she ceased, "imagines that I am at his mercy!
Five minutes brought them to his house. "Go in and ask," said Quarrier. Toby returned in a moment, followed by his wife. "She hasn't been here. What the deuce does it all mean? I can't understand you. Why, where should she have gone?" Again Denzil drew him aside. "Get a boatman, with lights and drags, and row round as fast as possible to Bale Water!" "Good heavens! What are you talking about?"
Whether the long strain had unnerved him, whether minutely providing against every possible danger he had been over-scrupulous, over-anxious, morbidly exact or whether a foresight almost abnormal had evoked a sinister possibility he did not know; but that threat of Mortimer's to involve Plank with Leila in one common ruin, that boast that he was able to do so could not be ignored as a possible weapon if Quarrier should by any chance learn of it.
Several times he called up Quarrier on the 'phone and made appointments to lunch with him; but these meetings never resulted in anything except luncheons which Mortimer paid for, and matters were becoming desperate.
"I refer to the actual terrain," interrupted Colonel Quarrier. "Look here, Manners; if it is fairly undulating, and not too steep on the north-eastern side, it ought to be admirably suited for a coup-de-main. Frontal, of course, but that is inevitable." "Just so, sir," murmured the adjutant. Colonel Quarrier deliberately folded up the map. "Very well," he said in conclusion.
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