The next morning Bates placed a letter postmarked
Cincinnati at my plate. I opened and read it aloud to
Larry:
On Board the Heloise December 25, 1901.
John Glenarm, Esq.,
Glenarm House,
Annandale, Wabana Co., Indiana:
DEAR SIR-I have just learned from what I believe to
be a trustworthy source that you have already violated
the terms of the agreement under which you entered into
residence on the property near Annandale, known as
Glenarm House. The provisions of the will of John Marshall
Glenarm are plain and unequivocal, as you undoubtedly
understood when you accepted them, and your absence,
not only from the estate itself, but from Wabana
County, violates beyond question your right to inherit.
I, as executor, therefore demand that you at once vacate
said property, leaving it in as good condition as when
received by you. Very truly yours,
Arthur Pickering,
Executor of the Estate of John Marshall Glenarm.
"Very truly the devil's," growled Larry, snapping
his cigarette case viciously.
"How did he find out?" I asked lamely, but my heart
sank like lead. Had Marian Devereux told him! How
else could he know?
"Probably from the stars,-the whole universe undoubtedly
saw you skipping off to meet your lady-love.
Bah, these women!"
"Tut! They don't all marry the sons of brewers,"
I retorted. "You assured me once, while your affair
with that Irish girl was on, that the short upper lip
made Heaven seem possible, but unnecessary; then the
next thing I knew she had shaken you for the bloated
masher. Take that for your impertinence. But perhaps
it was Bates?"
I did not wait for an answer. I was not in a mood
for reflection or nice distinctions. The man came in
just then with a fresh plate of toast.
"Bates, Mr. Pickering has learned that I was away
from the house on the night of the attack, and I'm ordered
off for having broken my agreement to stay here.
How do you suppose he heard of it so promptly?"
"From Morgan, quite possibly. I have a letter from
Mr. Pickering myself this morning. Just a moment,
sir."
He placed before me a note bearing the same date as
my own. It was a sharp rebuke of Bates for his failure
to report my absence, and he was ordered to prepare to
leave on the first of February. "Close your accounts at
the shopkeepers' and I will audit your bills on my arrival."
The tone was peremptory and contemptuous. Bates
had failed to satisfy Pickering and was flung off like a
smoked-out cigar.
"How much had he allowed you for expenses, Bates?"
He met my gaze imperturbably.
"He paid me fifty dollars a month as wages, sir, and
I was allowed seventy-five for other expenses."
"But you didn't buy English pheasants and champagne
on that allowance!"
He was carrying away the coffee tray and his eyes
wandered to the windows.