“Possibly through the medium of the post. Not too tight, if you please!”
Turvey slackened the bandage. “I beg your lordship’s pardon! I should myself have supposed that Studley must have received a letter from his parent were it not for the fact that when Chard rode to Grantham for the paregoric draught recommended by the doctor, he called at the receiving-office, and brought back to the Castle such letters as were there. There were only two, my lord: one for her ladyship, and one for the housekeeper. I trust the bandage is not now too tight?”
“Thank you, no. It is possible, you know, that, having been turned off by Mr. Martin, Studley sought for an excuse to explain his sudden departure. He might not wish it to be known that he had been dismissed.”
Turvey bowed slightly. “Very understandable, I am sure, my lord. Particularly if he thought that no one would have believed it. I am told that Studley has been with Mr. Martin ever since he was a boy. Yes, my lord: remarkably attached to him, I am informed.” He then helped the Earl to put oh his night-shirt, and turned to pull back the bedclothes. “Your lordship might desire me, before I myself retire to rest in the dressing-room, to turn the key in the lock of this door. Mr. Martin’s new man — doubtless bewildered by the many galleries and corridors in the Castle, and anxious to acquaint himself with his surroundings — has, if I may say so, a tendency to prowl. Would your lordship care to have a pillow under the left shoulder?”
“No, thank you,” Gervase replied, stretching himself out in the huge bed. “Nor should I care to have my door locked. Where does he prowl?”
“That, my lord, I am not in a position to say,” said Turvey, tucking in the blankets. “One of the two occasions when I encountered him, he appeared to be acquainting himself with the bedchambers opening on to this gallery. He explained to me that he was trying to find Mr. Martin’s room. Is there anything further I can do for your lordship?”
“Only one thing! Do not alarm the Servants’ Hall with this story!”
“Your lordship need feel no apprehension. I should think it most improper to impart my reflections to any but your lordship,” responded Turvey, with hauteur. “It would be idle to deny, however, that a good deal of comment has been provoked amongst the staff, no one being able to understand what should have prevailed upon Mr. Martin to have hired this Leek. I need scarcely say that I have discouraged all attempts to discover what may be my opinion. I shall continue to do so. Good-night, my lord!”
He then withdrew to the adjoining room, leaving the Earl to digest his sinister tidings.
Upon the following morning, Theo took his leave of his cousin, saying, with his slight smile: “You are so well-guarded I may abandon you with a quiet mind! Don’t overtax your strength! Ulverston, I rely upon you to remember you are under oath to send me word if — if Gervase should suffer a relapse!”