“His mother has died, and left him some money. And very glad it is I am to hear it, for a finer man I don't know.”
“Much?”
“He didn't say; but I know that his mother was pretty well off. He merely wrote me asking me to mention in the Clarion that he was leaving the Church, and was going South. Ye see, he has a power of friends all over the country, and he just asked me to write a bit of a paragraph saying he was going away, and regretted that he could not come to Port Denison to preach next Sunday fortnight.”
Aulain re-filled Lacey's and his own glass, “Lucky fellow! When is he leaving Fraser's place?”
“He was leaving that morning for Boorala, and Fraser and his daughter and Gerrard were going with him as far as the turn-off. By a bit of good-luck, Gerrard—who also sent me a few lines—met Forde and Miss Fraser on his way to the Gully. Here is his note,” and he took a letter from his pocket and handed it to Aulain, who read:
“Fraser's Gully.
“Dear Lacey,—As the Boorala mailman is calling here this
morning, I send you a line. I had the good fortune to come
across Miss Fraser and Mr Forde at Cape Conway, and we all
came on to her father's place together. I like Fraser. He's
a fine old cock. The parson, too, is a good sort As for Miss
Kate Fraser, she is a modernised Hotspur's Kate—a
delightfully frank and charming girl. I envy the lucky man
who wins her. I hope the boy has not got into any mischief,
and is giving you no trouble. Give Aulain my regards, and
tell him I delivered his letter sooner than I anticipated. I
leave for Kaburie this morning, and am to have the pleasure
of being accompanied by Fraser and his daughter. Tell Jim
that if he gets into any mischief whilst I am away, I'll
make it hot for him.—Sincerely yours,
“Tom Gerrard.”
Aulain handed the letter back to Lacey. He was outwardly calm, but his heart was surging with passion. What business had that d———d parson fellow and Kate to be together at Cape Conway, fifteen miles away from her home? And then his receptive brain conjured up the blackest suspicions. Forde had come into money, and Kate had written to him saying that she could not marry him, “because she would never marry and leave her father.” He set his teeth.
“I think we could do another bottle, Aulain,” said Lacey presently.
“Right, old man!” replied the sub-Inspector mechanically, and then Lacey noticed that his bronzed face had become pallid.
“'Shakes' coming on?” he asked, sympathetically.