She could see that he thought worse of her after having heard the
statement which was her sole justification.
"And where is this Mr. Carrington now to be found?" he asked,
presently. "I do not know. Having accomplished his base plot, and
caused his friend's restoration to the estates, I suppose he has taken
care to go far away from the scene of his infamy."
The magistrate looked searchingly at her face. Was this acting, or was
she ignorant of the destruction of the will? Did she, indeed, believe
that the estates were lost to herself?
* * * * *
Before the hour at which the coroner's inquest was to be held in the
great dining-room, Reginald Eversleigh and Victor Carrington met at the
appointed spot in the avenue of firs.
One glance at his friend's face informed Victor that some fatal event
had occurred since the previous day. Reginald told him, in brief,
passionate words, of the destruction of the will.
"You are a clever schemer, no doubt, Mr. Carrington," he added,
bitterly; "but clever as you are, you have been outwitted as completely
as the veriest fool that ever blundered into ruin. Do you understand,
Carrington--we are not richer by one halfpenny for all your scheming?"
Carrington was silent for awhile; but when, after a considerable pause,
he at length spoke, his voice betrayed a despair as intense in its
quiet depth as the louder passion of his companion.
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