"I wish he had been there to hear what Lady Mary said. It would have made my task a good deal easier, and I should have known better how to go to work to clear up this mystery. You should have heard the rich Irish brogue into which she lapsed as she denounced the lad!"
"That would be enough in itself to prove that she had not thought of what she was saying, and as each seems to be prejudiced against the other, I should be inclined to think she had let her anger and her prejudice have their way when speaking of the matter," put in Mr. Bristow.
"I am inclined to take the same view, and so I think perhaps, for the present, it will be best to say very little about the affair. But in the meanwhile I should like you to keep a sharp eye on young Murray, and if you see anything suspicious in his conduct or manner let me know at once. Lady Mary threatens to put the matter into the hands of the police, but I don't think she will do that, considering that it is one of her own name and family whose character is impugned."
Meanwhile, as Arthur walked home that evening, he almost ran against Adrian Murray, who started when he saw Arthur, but did not hold out his hand to respond to his greeting.
"What's the matter, old fellow?" Arthur asked in some surprise. "I haven't got the small-pox, you need not be afraid of me."
"I don't know so much about that," replied Adrian, trying to assume an injured air. "You're a pretty cunning fellow, and I dare say you think you are very clever, but you are found out at last."
"Found out! What do you mean? What was there to find out?" said Arthur in a tone of surprise.
"Well, you'll hear soon enough, I expect, for the Mater has found it out, and—"
"But what has she found out?" asked Arthur impatiently.
"Why, she has been down to your shop. I never thought, when I met you at Brading's the other day, that you were in the shop there, and you took good care you never told me."