Jerry's comin' to-day--all his family, too. They've taken 'Noel's
Folly' on the hill. He's sure to look in here. Couldn't be better.
He's the cove to turn to in a case like this."
Jarvis, a white-haired, dignified butler who had served the family
man and boy, came in at this juncture with a visiting card on a
salver.
Alaric picked it up and glanced at it. He gave an expression of
disgust and flung the card back on the salver.
"Christian Brent."
For the first time Ethel showed more than a passing gleam of
interest. She stopped strumming the piano and stood up, very erect
and very still.
Mrs. Chichester rose too: "I can't see any one," she said
imperatively. "Nor I," added Alaric. "I'm all strung up." He turned
to Jarvis. "Tell Mr. Brent we're very sorry, but--"
"I'LL see him," interrupted Ethel, almost animatedly. "Bring Mr.
Brent here, Jarvis."
As Jarvis went in search of Mr. Brent, Mrs. Chichester went up the
great stairs: "My head is throbbing. I'll go to my room."
"Don't you worry., mater," consoled Alaric. "Leave everything to me.
I'll thrash the whole thing out--absolutely thrash it out."
As Mrs. Chichester disappeared, Alaric turned to his calm sister,
who, strangely enough, was showing some signs of life and interest.
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