“I think so, since the room was ransacked, and Grison had no other object of value in his miserable dwelling to tempt anyone to commit a crime.”
“Well, it might be so. But why am I not to tell Uncle Ran?”
“Because I wish to find the peacock and deliver the assassin of Grison to justice. If Mr. Sorley goes on the trail also he will get the peacock and will not give it to you, to whom it rightfully belongs.”
“I see. Of course I shall say nothing. And Alan”—she laid her arms round her lover’s neck——“do find the peacock, and let us look for the treasure.”
“And then?” questioned the young man, smiling at the bright face.
“Then! then,” said Miss Inderwick, dancing away from him, “why then, you stupid creature, we can marry and defy Uncle Ran.”
CHAPTER IV
AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR
“Now that we have finished our secret conversation,” said Fuller some time later, when the pair were returning towards the avenue, “I shall call and pay my respects to your uncle.”
“I don’t think he wants to see you,” answered Marie very candidly, “he is quite aware that I love you and wishes to keep us apart.”
“No doubt, my dear, but I don’t intend him to get his own way. He never can, so long as you remain true to me.”