‘You won’t care to let me know who told you?’
‘There’s no reason why I shouldn’t,’ said Mrs. Damerel, after reflection. ‘Do you know Mr. Luckworth Crewe?’
‘I don’t think I ever heard the name.’
‘Indeed? He is well acquainted with Miss. Lord. Some one he wouldn’t mention gave him all the particulars, having learnt them from Miss Lord herself, and he thought it his duty to inform me of my niece’s very painful position.’
‘Who is this man?’ Tarrant asked abruptly.
‘I am rather surprised you have never heard of him. He’s a man of business. My nephew, Mr. Horace Lord, is shortly to be in partnership with him.’
‘Crewe? No, the name is quite strange to me.’
Tarrant’s countenance darkened; he paused for an instant, then added impatiently:
‘You say he had “all the particulars.” What were they, these particulars?’
‘Will one be enough? A child was born at Falmouth, and is now at a place just outside London, in the care of some stranger.’