"In relation to Lord Derrington?"
"Yes. He was the landlord of this house, I believe."
"He was and is. It was leased to Mrs. Jersey, furniture and all, by the year."
"By the year," said Brendon, surprised. "Why not a seven-years' lease in the ordinary way?"
"I cannot say. I am only telling you what Mrs. Jersey's lawyer told me. Lord Derrington bought this house from Mr. Ireland with the furniture as it stood, and as it stood he gave it to Mrs. Jersey. She turned it into a boarding-house some fifteen years ago. I don't think she added or took away any furniture. It is in the same condition as when it left Mr. Ireland's hands. And he, I believe, sold it on account of the last owner."
"He did," admitted George. "The last owner was Mr. Anthony Lockwood; he was----" George had it in his mind to state that Lockwood was his father. But the time was not yet ripe for such a disclosure, and he said nothing at the moment. "He was a singing-master," he finished rather lamely. "Mr. Ireland told me all about him."
"That is all correct, so far as I know, Mr. Brendon. I dare say you wish to know why I saw Mr. Ireland. I did so on behalf of Margery Watson, as I wanted the girl to continue the boarding-house. I like the poor creature, and when her aunt died she was left very badly off."
"Didn't Mrs. Jersey leave any money?"
"No. She lived principally on an annuity from Lord Derrington."
"Ah!" said Brendon, his suspicions becoming more and more confirmed, "so he allowed her an annuity. Why?"