On turning in his touchy way to ascertain who had ventured on such a liberty with him, he was pleasurably surprised to find that the offender was none other than Tom Thornswade, son of Squire Thornswade of Highcroft, whom he had known from the time he was short coated.
"Thought I couldn't be mistaken in your back, Mr. Ormsby, as you marched along in front of me," said Master Tom, with a merry laugh, as his hand met that of the elder man in a cordial clasp. "I must say I'm awfully glad to see you. Yours is the first face known to me that I've set eyes on since I landed at Southampton four days ago."
"Glad you've got back safe and sound, Tom. Your father told me all about your having to go out to the States to look after some property which has been left him there."
The two had many topics in common, and found much to say to each other, and it was not till the train was fairly under way that young Tom, with a sudden change of tone and manner, said: "I must really crave your pardon, Mr. Ormsby, for having omitted to give expression to my sincere regrets at the great and irreparable loss you have recently sustained. Poor dear Mrs. Drelincourt! I cannot tell you how shocked I was when I read the account of her terrible end in one of the newspapers sent me by my mother."
"Yes, it was indeed a tragical affair," replied Mr. Ormsby, with what he meant for a heartfelt sigh, and a sudden elongation of his visage. "I was her favorite brother, Torn--her favorite brother! What I have suffered God alone knows. I don't think I shall ever be quite my own man again. Poor Kate! Poor Kate!"
"And the sad affair is still wrapped in mystery, is it not?" asked Tom, after a pause.
"It is."
"In the paper sent me there was an account of some man having been arrested on suspicion and examined before the magistrates, but who was afterwards set at liberty for want of sufficient evidence to bring the crime home to him."
"That is so. Gumley, the fellow in question, had been temporarily engaged as under gardner at the Towers, and although, thanks to the evidence of my brother in law, who--and I can't help saying so--acted very strangely throughout the affair, he was released, nothing will persuade me that in him we had not got hold of the murderer of my sister. Unfortunately there was a link wanting in the chain of evidence--only one, mind you. But some day it may be found. I do not despair. Time solves many mysteries and brings many a clue to light."
"It was a great blow to Mr. Drelincourt, was it not?"