"Indeed!" returned Mr. Plackett, in as surprised a tone as though it were news to him. "Rather strange, is it not, that Miss Winter should stay away from him--in his present precarious condition?"
"The Squire appeared to be well when Miss Winter left England; and--and he will not have her recalled. I believe she is expected shortly."
"One would have thought she would like to be near him."
"I dare say she would," interposed Dr. Jago; "but we think--_I_ think--she is just as well away. It is so very essential to keep him free from excitement. We have a most excellent nurse--and he has every possible care and attention. That I can assure you."
"Oh, I don't doubt that," returned the lawyer, as he put down his glass, and rose to depart with his clerk. The Doctor wished them good-morning there; Hubert Stone attended them to the outer door, and saw them drive away.
"There's something about that Dr. Jago which I don't like," remarked Mr. Plackett to his companion as they bowled along through the park. "I've been used to studying character for a number of years, and that fellow seems to me to be double-faced. Did you notice what a dark, sinister smile he had?--nothing English or open about it." And Mr. Foxey assented, for he had not at all relished the events of the visit.
"Fine property this, and no mistake," continued the lawyer, glancing from side to side as he drove along rapidly. "I was in hopes that _our_ Mr. Denison would have succeeded to it. A good thing that he is a philosopher: he don't mind it much."
"With our client's income I think that even I could afford to be a philosopher," said the clerk, drily.
"Aye, but there's an old proverb: 'Much would have more.' However, our side has lost the day, and it's no use crying over spilt milk. I cannot understand how it is that Miss Winter can be away at a time like this," he went on after a pause. "In fact, coupling what I've seen and heard to-day with that fellow Nixon's reports, I may go so far as to observe that there's something about the whole business which puzzles me, and which I don't half like."
"But you have nothing tangible on which to ground your suspicions, have you, sir?"