"Yes, it may be. I did not think of that. And he has also been very much annoyed to-day: and you know, Peter, if once James is thoroughly put out of temper, it takes some little time to put him in again."
The banker nodded assent.
"What has annoyed him?"
"A very curious thing," replied Mrs. Castlemaine: "you will hardly believe it when I tell you. Some young man----"
Breaking off suddenly, she glanced around to make sure that no one was within hearing. Then drawing nearer to the banker, went on in a lowered voice:
"Some young man presented himself this morning at Greylands' Rest, pretending to want to put in a claim to the estate."
Abstracted though the banker had been throughout the brief interview, these words aroused him to the quick. In one moment he was the calm, shrewd, attentive business man, Peter Castlemaine, his head erect, his keen eyes observant.
"I do not understand you, Mrs. Castlemaine."
"Neither do I understand," she rejoined. "James said just a word or two to me, and I gathered the rest."
"Who was the young man?"