Jasper went immediately to Mr. Jordan. He found Eve with her father. Jane, the housemaid, had exhibited signs of restlessness and impatience to be off. Joseph Woodman, the policeman from Tavistock, a young and sleepy man who was paying her his addresses, had appeared at the kitchen window and coughed. He was off duty, and Jane thought it hard that she should be on when he was off. So Eve had let her depart with her lover.
‘Well,’ said Mr. Jordan, who was still in bed, ‘what is it? Do you want me?’
‘I have come to ask your permission to leave for a few days. I must go to my father, who is dying. I will return as soon as I can.’
Eve’s great blue eyes opened with amazement. ‘You said nothing about this ten minutes ago.’
‘I did not know it then.’
‘What!’ exclaimed Mr. Jordan, trying to rise on his elbow, and his eyes brightening, ‘Ezekiel Babb dying! Is justice overtaking him at last?’
‘I hear that he is dying,’ said Jasper; ‘it is my duty to go to him.’
‘If he dies,’ said Mr. Jordan, ‘to whom will his property go?’
‘Probably to me; but it is premature to inquire.’