She was rather a misanthrope."
"Did she expect anyone that evening?"
"No. At all events, she said nothing about expecting anyone."
"Did she expect her nephew?"
"Mr. Basil Saxon?" said Mrs. Herne, looking surprised. "Not
that I am aware of. She did not mention his name. To be
sure, they were on bad terms, and she had forbidden him the
house. No, I do not think she expected him."
"Do you know the cause of the quarrel?"
"It had something to do with money. I believe Miss Loach
helped Mr. Saxon, who was rather extravagant, but she grew
weary of his demands and refused to help him further. He lost
his temper and said things which forced her to order him out
of the house."
"Did he utter any threats?"
"Miss Loach never said that he did. Mr. Jennings," remarked
the old lady, bending her brows, "is it possible you suspect
that young man?"
"No. I suspect no one at present. But I am bound to make
inquiries in every direction, and of course, if Mr. Saxon is
of a passionate temper, he might wish to avenge himself for
being forbidden the house."
"He has a temper," said Mrs. Herne, thoughtfully, "but I never
saw it exhibited, though I met him once at Miss Loach's. She
said he had a lot of bad blood in him, but that may have been
because she hated her sister, Isabella Octagon."
"Did she hate her?"
"Yes. And I think she had cause. Mrs. Octagon behaved very
badly in connection with some romantic episode of the past.
Pages:
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198