‘You must come and visit us at Rookchester,’ said
the Earl. ‘In any case I am most anxious to know better one whose ancestor was so closely connected with my own. We shall examine my documents under the tuition of the lady you mentioned, Miss Willoughby, if she will accept the hospitality of a kinsman.’
Logan murmured acquiescence, and again asked permission to consult Merton, which was granted. The Earl then shook hands and departed, obviously somewhat easier in his mind.
This remarkable conversation was duly reported by Logan to Merton.
‘What are we to do next?’ asked Logan.
‘Why you can do nothing but reconnoitre. Go down to Rookchester. It is in Northumberland, on the Coquet—a pretty place, but there is no fishing just now. Then we must ask Lord Embleton to meet Miss Willoughby. The interview can be here: Miss Willoughby will arrive, chaperoned by Miss Blossom, after the Earl makes his appearance.’
‘That will do, as far as his bothering old manuscripts are concerned; but how about the real business—the two undesirable marriages?’
‘We must first see how the land lies. I do not know any of the lovers. What sort of fellow is Scremerston?’
‘Nothing remarkable about him—good, plucky, vain little fellow. I suppose he wants money, like the rest of the world: but his father won’t let him be a director of anything, though he is in the House and his name would look well on a list.’
‘So he wants to marry dollars?’