"If you find it is true—which I hope to Heaven you don't—I want you to go to Lord Kneedrock's solicitor and learn what he knows about it. You may tell him you came from me, and that I desire some steps taken."
He looked at her questioningly. He couldn't understand her right to make such a demand, but he said nothing, except:
"Who is Lord Kneedrock's solicitor?"
"A combined mummy and sphinx," she answered. "His name is Widdicombe, and he has chambers in the Inner Temple. Your real task will be to get him to open his mouth. He's a living storehouse of secrets."
"Won't your name open it?"
"The name of his majesty wouldn't open it unless he felt it to be for his client's interest. I'm afraid you'll find him a very hard nut to crack, Gerald."
"If I fail, it won't be for lack of effort," he declared determinedly.
Then she smiled at him in the old way for the first time since he came.
"How are the sheep and the ewe lambs?" she asked, with a faint sign of mischief.
He smiled in return, pleased to note the change in her, even if it were but momentary.