"It's not a relationship that I'm proud of, Edward."
Edward looked at his uncle. "As I remarked before, there's no need to be rude," he said.
"I'm only stating facts, Edward. Remember, I go by what I have seen. What were you doing at Bushey, and, for the matter of that, what are you doing here in San Pietro?"
Edward Povey rose and took a turn or two up and down the path. He had asked himself at first whether he had been wise to attract his uncle's attention. But he well knew that until he had found out the reason of the old man's presence on the island, he would know no peace. He was more than relieved to discover the true state of things and that his uncle knew nothing of the Baxendale affair. The best thing to do now was to get the old man back to Kidderminster as soon as possible. There was nothing to associate Edward in his uncle's mind with the Mr. Sydney who lived at Venta Villa, even if, as was hardly probable, that gentleman's name were known to the carpet manufacturer. He pulled up suddenly in his walk as a scheme suggested itself, and stood looking down on Mr. Jarman.
"I really think, uncle, you had better go back and face the music—it's a bit late, I'll admit, but it's your best move."
"And face the scandal too. Not me."
"There won't be any scandal if you do as I say. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper—The Kidderminster Shuttle, isn't it? Tell him that you have been on a long sea voyage by your doctor's orders and that you haven't been able to write or receive letters for weeks. Say that you have just read in an old number of the Daily Telegraph that you have been 'wanted.' Work up the indignation hot and strong—say that you are hastening home to take proceedings for libel against any one who has said a word against you. You must, also, say that Kyser was a friend of yours and that he had lent you the cottage at Bushey, and that when Aunt Eliza heard he was murdered, she was frightened of ghosts and that is why you left so hurriedly. Say she wouldn't sleep another night in the place for a fortune."
Edward paused and wiped the perspiration from his face. Jasper, who had been looking glum enough when his nephew had begun to speak, now raised his head with a little smile.
"You're a magnificent liar, Edward—same time I rather like your idea—I believe you possess the elements of sense."
Edward smiled his acknowledgments, then went on—