"And was that first marriage genuine?" he asked.
"Very doubtful. I worried the old man till he went off to look into it, but when he came back he would say nothing. It makes no difference, however, for we don't know one boy from the other."
"And the mother--the one who lived?" asked Eager, following out his own line of thought.
"She stayed on at Carne with her mother for about a year. Then she disappeared, and, as far as I know, nothing has been heard of her since. She could solve the problem doubtless, but if she swore to it no one would believe her."
"She believed in her own marriage, of course?"
"Doubtless. And the time may come when she will put in her claim, if she is alive."
"That's what I was thinking. And the father of the boys?"
"The man he killed--unintentionally, no doubt, still after threats--had powerful friends. They would have exacted every penalty the law permitted. Denzil no doubt considered he could enjoy life better in other ways. If he is alive he is abroad. He has never shown face here since."
"A complicated matter," said Eager thoughtfully, "and likely to become more so. Where would the old man's death land things?"
"God knows. I've puzzled over it many a day and night."