"Your suspicion that the man is sailing under false colors seems to be incorrect," replied Diana.
"He's a rascal!" declared Mrs. Lowell with conviction.
"Artists often are, I believe," returned Diana.
"I wish with all my heart I could know what he and his visitor will talk about during the next half-hour, and what that pick and shovel meant. Why was he so sorry to see us?" Mrs. Lowell's brows drew together in perplexity.
"Perhaps they are going to search for smugglers' treasures, or pirate gold," suggested Diana.
Her companion smiled. "Perhaps so. The man has some reason for promoting the foolish ghost talk and resenting visitors to his preserves. Of course, the treasure idea is as foolish as the phantoms, and just as little likely to fool a modern man in his senses."
Diana shook her head. "It is certainly rather irritating to have him assume jurisdiction over that ruin which is open and free to all," she said. "I dislike his personality extremely, but his pencil has a sure touch and those sketches showed an appreciation of values."
"If he did them," said Mrs. Lowell thoughtfully.
Diana smiled. "You surely are consistent."
Her companion drew a deep breath. "A man who can treat that fragile, sensitive, lonely boy as he does—his own brother's son at that—can plan to crush him and sweep him out of his way as he would an insect—that man is dangerously wicked, and so long as the matter has come to my notice, I must share in the responsibility."