"As I have already told you, Carlotta, he mentioned that the diamonds would be divided into three portions."
"Equal?"
"I assumed so. And he said Bullard and I would not be forgotten—'Reward' was the word he used."
"He may leave you a diamond to make a pin of! Aren't you sure of anything, Robert?"
"I felt sure at the time, but during the journey I began to have doubts. So had Bullard. I tell you I simply could not tackle the dying man about his affairs."
"He may live for a long time yet." She drew a breath of exasperation. "But the moment he dies you and Mr. Bullard must act on Alan's will. It simplifies matters, I should imagine, that the old man made a gift of that property instead of willing it. Unfortunately it may mean only £25,000 for us."
Lancaster sat up stiffly and looked at his wife.
"It means not a penny for us. That debt to the Syndicate must be paid with the first large sum I can lay hold of. You must clearly understand that, Carlotta. I have said the same thing before."
"You have! May I ask whether the Syndicate has asked you to pay the debt?"
He looked away, then downwards. "The Syndicate," he said slowly, "has not asked me to pay the debt, for the simple reason that the Syndicate does not know of it—yet." His breath caught, and he added huskily, "I have wanted to tell you this for some time, Carlotta."