“That is a pleasure in store for you. I came into this neighbourhood for the purpose of—er—making your acquaintance, but this seems hardly the moment to enter upon a matter which I have reason to suspect may prove extremely complicated.”
“You came to see me? ” said Piers, astonished. “How can this be?”
“If,” said Sir Richard, “you will come to see me at the “George” to-morrow—a very natural action on your part, in view of my discovery of your guest’s corpse—I will tell you just why I came to Queen Charlton in search of you.”
“I am sure I am honoured—but I cannot conceive what your business with me may be, sir!”
“That,” said Sir Richard, “does not surprise me nearly as much as my business is likely to surprise you, Mr Luttrell!”
Chapter 9
Having got rid of Piers Luttrell, who, after peering at his watch surreptitiously, and several times looking about him as though in the expectation of seeing someone hiding amongst the trees, went off, rather relieved but much bewildered, Sir Richard walked away to rejoin Pen and the unknown lady. He found only Pen, seated on the bank with an air of aloof virtue, her hands folded primly on her knees. He paused, looking her over with a comprehending eye. “And where,” he asked in conversational tones, “is your companion?”
“She chose to go home,” responded Pen. “I dare say she grew tired of waiting for you to come back.”
“Ah, no doubt! Did you by any chance, suggest to her that she should do so?”
“No, because it was not at all necessary. She was very anxious to go. She said she wished she had not come.”