‘Whatever do you mean?’ Richard asked. ‘Oh dear!’ the other said pettishly; ‘can’t you understand? I mean down at Scotland Yard. If any of ‘em should come to you, you know, say nothing. Fact is, I’m going to let the old man off, if I can—I’m bound to let him off. It’s all got to be hushed up, if Mr. Nolan, Esquire, can manage it.’
‘Why?’ asked Richard calmly.
‘Why did you chuck the job up?’ returned Nolan. ‘Can’t I follow your example?’
‘Do you mean that you—er—Miss Juana?’
‘Precisely,’ said Nolan. ‘I met her down at Limerick months ago—long before the death of old Featherstone—when I was engaged on inquiries about old Craig’s antecedents, to try if I couldn’t throw any light on the matter of his treasure of new silver, which has interested the police for a year past. I met her. I hadn’t the least notion that she was his daughter. I was afraid that I should never see her again. And then, when I woke up in the cursed little room here and found her bending over me—by Heaven, it was too much! For the time, I do believe, it made me worse. She has told me a lot to-day. I haven’t been delirious since early this morning. Oh yes, Redgrave, I’ve got to chuck it. I wouldn’t harm that woman, or anything that belonged to her—not to be Chief of Police in Paris! You and I must put our heads together and concoct a tale that will satisfy the people in London.’
The door opened, and Juana entered with a firm step.
‘Time’s up,’ she said, looking at the man in bed. ‘I gave you five minutes, and you’ve had ten. Good-night, Mr. Redgrave—and thanks.’
Here indeed was spirited nursing.
Richard retired to his own room, intending to think things over, but instead of thinking, for some reason or other, he slept heavily till nine o’clock. Then he dressed and descended, and, seeing no one about, went into the garden. Almost at the same moment a light trap drove up to the garden-gate. Telling the driver not to wait, a man got down from the vehicle. It was Mr. Simon Lock.
‘Ah! Mr. Redgrave,’ said Simon Lock, ‘you seem to be at home here. Can you tell me if Mr. Craig is at home?’