Blind Love

"We are back again in town. Come to the hotel at once, and see us."

So, there was now a Man to advise. For once, Fanny was thankful for the

creation of Man. To the most misanthropic female there sometimes comes

a time when she must own that Man has his uses. These two women had now

got a Man with whom to take counsel.

"I do not ask you," said Mr. Mountjoy, with grave face, "how far this

statement of yours is true: I can see plainly that it is true in every

particular."

"It is quite true, sir; every word of it is true. I have been tempted

to make out a worse case against the doctor, but I have kept myself to

the bare truth."

"You could not make out a worse case against any man. It is the

blackest case that I ever heard of or read. It is the foulest murder. I

do not understand the exact presence of Lord Harry when the medicine

was given. Did he see the doctor administer it? Did he say anything?"

"He turned white when the doctor told him that the man was going to

die--that day, perhaps, or next day. When the doctor was pouring out

the medicine he turned pale again and trembled. While the doctor was

taking the photograph he trembled again. I think, sir--I really

think--that he knew all along that the man was going to die, but when

it came to the moment, he was afraid. If it had depended on him, Oxbye

would be alive still."

"He was a consenting party. Well; for the moment both of you keep

perfect silence. Don't discuss the timing with each other lest you

should be overheard: bury the thing. I am going to make some

inquiries."

The first thing was to find out what steps had been taken, if any, with

insurance companies. For Iris's sake his inquiry had to be conducted

quite openly. His object must seem none other than the discovery of

Lady Harry Norland's present address. When bankers, insurance

companies, and solicitors altogether have to conduct a piece of

business it is not difficult to ascertain such a simple matter.

He found out the name of the family solicitor, he went to the office,

sent in his card, and stated his object. As a very old friend of Lady

Harry's, he wanted to learn her address. He had just come up from

Scotland, where he had been ill, and had only just learned her terrible

bereavement.

The lawyer made no difficulty at all. There was no reason why he

should. Lady Harry had been in London; she was kept in town for nearly

two months by business connected with the unfortunate event; but she

had now gone--she was travelling Switzerland or elsewhere. As for her

address, a letter addressed to his care should be forwarded on hearing

from her ladyship.