by L. T. Meade
wasteful," exclaimed Sally. "And thereain't any too much coal left in the cellar," she continued. "My missus,she never has the fire lit in the droring-room afore dinner-time, andyou knows that well, Miss Rosamund."
"Never mind, Sally, I must have a fire this morning," I replied.
I felt reckless and extravagant. What if we never needed to economisemore! What if--? My brain seemed to reel; I almost shook myself in myanger. "How silly you are, Rosamund Lindley!" I said under my breath."What if you have got the secret which will lead to the discovery ofCousin Geoffrey's will? is it likely that that will can affect you? Oh,what a conceited, foolish girl you are!"
Nevertheless, I toasted myself before a warm fire, and dreamed my dreamsuntil breakfast time.
At that meal I called forth angry words both from my father and George.I calmly announced my intention of going up to town with them. When Isaid this, George's face grew red with indignation. His eyes lookedfull at me. They said as plainly as eyes could speak: "_Now_ what whimhave you taken into your head? Are you going to interfere still furtherin this wretched, disgraceful affair of Jack's?"
My own eyes danced as they replied to him with a gay and confidentsmile. He almost turned his back on me, and upset half a cup of coffeein disgust.
I jumped up to fetch a cloth to wipe up the mess he had made. My fathersaid:
"Rosamund, it is out of my power to gratify all your restless whims; youare scarcely at home when you are off again. You will turn into one ofthose gadding women, those busy-bodies who are a disgrace to their sex.Mary," turning to my mother, "I wonder you allow it."
"Could not you stay at home to-day, Rose, dear?" she asked, gently,looking at me with a sweet piteous sort of smile.
"I'll stay at home to-morrow, mother darling," I answered. "I am everso sorry to leave you to-day, but it is absolutely necessary for me togo to town."
"Stuff and nonsense," said my father. "I shan't pay for your ticket,miss."
"I've enough money to do that for myself," I replied.
The sorrow in my mother's eyes deepened. She could never bear any of usto oppose our father. I followed her into the little drawing-room.
"A fire already!" she exclaimed. "What can Sally have been thinkingof?"
"It was my fault, mother. I lit the fire."
"Rosamund, dear, how very wasteful! And we have scarcely any coal inthe cellar, and your father says he will not be able to order a freshsupply before Monday."
"Mother darling, sit down in your easy-chair and warm yourself by thefire; you look so white and shivery. Mammie dear," I continued,kneeling down and rubbing my cheek affectionately against hers, "I feelfull of hope to-day--I cannot economise to-day--don't ask me."
My mother smoothed back my hair, kissed me on my forehead, and gaveherself up to the enjoyment of the fire.
"Do you know why I am going to town?" I whispered.
"I wish you would not go at all, Rose. Your father is vexed."
"I fear I must vex him to-day, mother. I am going to Cousin Geoffrey'shouse."
Two pink roses stole into my mother's pretty cheeks. She looked at meinquiringly.
"Last night," I continued, "the ruby ring brought me a message."
"Rosamund, my darling, what do you mean?"
"What I say. I will explain everything when I return from town. I amgoing now on the business which the ring told me of." I sprang to myfeet as I spoke, kissed my mother again, and ran out of the room to getready.
I had a silent journey up to Paddington; neither my father nor Georgewould say a word to me.
When I arrived at the terminus I coolly desired George to hail a hansomfor me.
"I think you must be mad," he said, raising his eyebrows.
"Will you get me a hansom?" I repeated, in a quiet voice. He stared atme again; but the steady look in my eyes quelled him. He held up hisumbrella to a hansom driver, and walked unwillingly across the platformwith me. My father had long ago left us to our own devices.
"Shall I give you a lift, George?" I said. "I am going towards theCity."
"No, thank you," he replied. "I at least am too honest to ride in avehicle I cannot afford."
"George," I said, looking earnestly at him, "believe me, I am doingnothing rashly. I am upheld by a hope to-day--a hope which may turn outa mere chimera, but which is yet sufficiently real to induce me to takesteps to see Mr Gray with as little delay as possible."
"Who is Mr Gray?"
"Cousin Geoffrey Rutherford's lawyer."
"That crazed old man who died in the autumn?"
"Good-bye, George," I said, springing into the hansom and waving my handto him. I shouted Mr Gray's address to the driver through the littlewindow in the roof. George was so angry that he did not even vouchsafeto take off his hat to me as I drove away.
I arrived at Mr Gray's in good time. He was within, and I was shownalmost directly into his presence.
"How do you do, Miss Lindley?" he said; "please be seated."
His manner was calm and pleasant, but his eyes said plainly, "Now,what's up? Have you got any news for me?"
I answered Mr Gray's eyes, not his voice. I did not sit down, butstood close to him, as if I was in haste to be gone.
"I want an order to view Cousin Geoffrey's house," I said.
"What, again?" he asked.
"Yes, and I am in a great hurry."
Mr Gray's eyes grew absolutely eager and hurried in their speech, buthis voice was as cool as ever.
"You had better take a chair," he said.
Still replying to his eyes, I continued to stand.
"I want an order to view the house," I said. "I want you to give me aletter to the caretakers asking them to allow me to go where I please_alone_; and I want you to give me all Cousin Geoffrey's keys."
"All Mr Rutherford's keys! What do you mean?"
"I cannot tell you. Will you trust me? May I have them?"
"You are making a bold and extraordinary request."
"I know it."
"And you won't explain?"
"I can't explain. Oh! Mr Gray, please let me have the keys."
The lawyer looked me all over from head to foot; his searching eyestravelled over my person.
"At least, Rosamund Lindley, you are honest," he said. "If you opendrawers, you won't steal."
"No," I said, proudly.
"If you peer into secret places, you won't disturb? I see order writtenacross your forehead, Rosamund, and determination sits comfortably onthose firm lips of yours, and courage and honesty dwell in your eyes.There! I'm an old fool, I suppose; but chit of a girl as you are, I amgoing to trust you. If you want those keys, you may have them."
"Thank you, Mr Gray; they shall be all safely returned to youto-night."
"I should rather think so, indeed. I only meant you to have them for anhour or two."
"I shall probably want them for the whole of to-day; and if I do notcome across what I am looking for, I shall be obliged to ask you to letme have the keys again to-morrow, again the next day, again every dayuntil my search is ended."
"Pooh, pooh!" he said. "You are intent on a search for the hidden will,I suppose. May you find it! you have my best wishes."
"Thank you."
"By the way, Miss Lindley, you have got that ruby ring of yours safe, Ihope?"
"Quite safe; it is on my finger."
"How often have I warned you not to wear a valuable ring of that kind inso careless a manner! Good heavens! it may slip off when you arewashing your hands."
"I will take care of that," I answered.
The lawyer sighed, favoured me with another keen glance, and then rosedeliberately from his chair.
"I had better get you the keys," he said. "Shall I come with you to thehouse?"
"No, thank you."
"But the keys are heavy. I must send a messenger with you to carrythem."
"I will take them myself, please."
"I warn you that they are heavy
."
"And I am strong."
Mr Gray smiled.
"Wilful girl," he said. He ceased to combat any more of my objections,and, walking across his office, opened an iron safe which was let intothe wall. He pushed his hand far into the safe and took out a leatherbag. There was a label on the bag which I could read.
"Geoffrey Rutherford's keys" was written in clear type on the whitelabel.
Mr Gray untied the label, placed it in the safe, and brought me overthe
