"I don't believe that he arrived at all, and I can't conceive why Miss Hest should tell a falsehood."
"I can. She is scheming for this money. However, I shall go with you to-morrow and we'll have it out with Hest. Where is he to be found?"
"He is staying with Professor Garrick Gail, at Isleworth."
"The deuce! Ida told me that he did not approve of his sister's reciting."
"Nor does he. But she asked him to give some message, and the Professor asked him to stop at Isleworth while he was in town. He did so, as he explained to me, so that he could persuade the Professor to induce Miss Hest to give up her career."
"A very lame explanation," said the Colonel grimly. "Gentlemen don't stay at such places for such weak purposes. I tell you, Vernon, that I don't believe in those Hests. I never did, although you defended the sister. They had a bad name at Bowderstyke as a wild family."
"Oh, I thought that Francis Hest was looked upon as a benefactor?"
"He is," admitted the Colonel reluctantly, "he's a crazy philanthropist, with his parish school-houses and Bolly Reservoir. All the same, there's a queer taint about them, and they live queer lives."
"I can't see that. Frances recites in London in a perfectly open and honest way, and Francis acts in a noble manner as a philanthropist."
"I daresay. All the same, I don't trust either brother or sister: they quarrel like mad, too."