I should like to see
him happy and settled with Miss Saxon before I die. But
Maraquito will do her best to hinder the match."
"She may soon have enough to do to look after herself," said
Jennings grimly. "I shall see that she gets her deserts."
"What do you suspect her of?" asked Caranby hastily.
"I can't tell you yet. I have no proofs. But I am
suspicious."
"She is a bad woman," said the old man. "I am certain of
that. And she will stop at nothing to marry Cuthbert. But
this is not what I came to see you about, Mr. Jennings. You
asked my permission to go over my house at Rexton?"
"I did. And I was coming to-day to get the permission
confirmed."
"Then I am sorry to say you cannot go over it."
"Why not?" asked Jennings, wondering why Lord Caranby had
changed his mind--a thing he rarely did. "I only want to--"
"Yes! Yes!" Caranby waved his hand impatiently, "but the fact
is, the house has been burnt down."
"Burnt down--at Rexton!" cried Jennings, jumping from his
seat.
"Yes. It caught fire in some way last night, about eight
o'clock. There was a high wind blowing, and the house has
been burnt to the ground. Not only that, but, as the weather
has been dry, the whole of the trees and shrubs and
undergrowth in the park have gone likewise. I am informed
that everything within the circle of that wall is a heap of
ashes. Quite a burning of Rome," chuckled Caranby.
"Do you suspect the house was set on fire?"
"Of course I do.
Pages:
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235