“Very much so, Ronald,” Mr. Caldwell answered. He spoke with genuine feeling. Perhaps it wasn’t fair to accuse him, Ronnie told himself. He had never made a positive identification. And yet—yet there were so many times that Ronnie had almost been sure.
“This comes as such a complete surprise,” Mr. Caldwell was speaking again. “I shall certainly have to look into the matter. I suppose there are agencies that will trace a family tree?”
Grandfather nodded. “I’d get myself a good lawyer, if I were you. He’ll tell you if you’ve got claim to the property.”
“My brother was the one who was interested in our family tree—and the family history of the candlesticks. As a boy, he was always snooping through old trunks and boxes in the attic.” Caldwell went over and stood before the candlesticks, touching the glass crystals lightly and lovingly with the tips of his fingers. “Beautiful, beautiful workmanship,” he said.
“Why don’t you ask your brother?” Phil rolled over to a sitting position. “Maybe he’s been holding out on you. Maybe he knows all about the property.”
Mr. Caldwell did not look around. “I—I’m afraid that’s impossible,” he answered finally. “He’s—away.”
Ronnie brought his knees up against his stomach and then wrapped his arms about his legs to hold them close. He looked over at Caldwell. How much did the man really know? Was this all a put-up job—pretending he had no knowledge of his relationship to Jacob Williams? Acting as if he didn’t know a thing, so Ronnie would not connect him with his mysterious prowlings about the village?
Ronnie sighed. It was all very puzzling. But somehow he couldn’t believe that Mr. Caldwell was guilty of deceiving them. Ronnie had to admit to himself that he liked the man.
The room had grown darker. Off in the distance Ronnie heard the low rumble of thunder. The back door slammed shut and Mr. Rorth came down the hallway and poked his head into the room. “Hi, everyone,” he said cheerfully. “Mr. Caldwell, how are you? By the way, I dropped some screen doors and windows off at your place, but I didn’t have time to put them up. I left some nails and a hammer, though, and you can tack them up temporarily.”
“Many thanks!” Caldwell said. “I can certainly use the screens! I never knew there were so many insects in the world until I came here. Too bad you left the hammer, though. I have one of my own.”