“Oh no. The young ladies were in their twenties when they came,” said Sims. “There weren’t never no children. Never have been children there.”
“Who came after the Duncans?” asked Daisy, wondering if the Smiths could have come then.
“Oh, it was taken by a Miss Kennedy who ran it as a kind of boarding-house,” said Sims. “But that were a failure. Only lasted two years. Since then it’s been empty. I did hear as some one had bought it - but they’ve not moved in. I never take no letters there.”
“And nobody of the name of Smith ever lived there?” said Daisy, puzzled.
“You seem set on the Smiths, whoever they be!” said old Sims, straightening himself up to go. “Maybe you’re thinking of old General Smith, him as lived in Clinton House!”
“I dare say we are,” said Larry. “Well, Sims, I think your memory is wonderful. You tell your wife we tried to catch you out and couldn’t!”
Sims grinned and went trudging on up the hill. Larry and Daisy looked at one another.
“Well - what do you think of that!” said Larry. “Mr. John Henry Smith told a pack of the most awful lies to get that house! Whoever is he, and what’s his little game?”
Who is John Henry Smith?
When Larry went down to Pip’s to meet the others, his news caused a good deal of surprise.