"Well, Mr. Gebb," said brisk Mr. Prain, after greetings had passed, "I have not been idle since I saw you last I have sent a description of that necklace to the police. I have informed Mr. Alder of Miss Gilmar's death, and I have received his instructions about the will."
"There is a will, then?"
"Without doubt. Miss Gilmar made her will before she left the Hall."
"In favour of Mr. Alder?" said Gebb.
"Yes. Of course, by the will of Kirkstone's ancestor Mr. Alder becomes possessed of the Hall; but Miss Gilmar has left her personal property--that is, the money which she inherited from Laura Kirkstone--to him also. Miss Wedderburn, I am sorry to say, receives nothing."
"Poor girl. She will have to leave the Hall."
Prain shrugged his shoulders. "That is at her own discretion," he said, coolly. "Mr. Alder is in love with her; so if she marries him----"
"She won't marry him," interrupted Gebb; "she is in love with, and engaged to, Mr. Ferris."
"Ah! she told you about that scamp?"
"She told me very little, Mr. Prain; but she fainted when I mentioned the man under the very general description of a lover."