The Red Widow; or, The Death-Dealers of LondonLe Queux, William
General
The Red Widow; or, The Death-Dealers of London
Le Queux, William
Mystery fiction
"Have you?" she asked quite innocently. "I’ve been for a walk to the
Inveruglas water."
"Oh! Isn’t it delightful there in the woods?" said the widow. "I’ve
been there often. We used to go and picnic there sometimes—right on up
Loch Sloy. It is very grand and lonely up there, and the view in all
directions is superb."
"I’ve only been in the woods at the bottom of the mountain," the Red
Widow replied.
"Well, I was going to ask you whether, if you haven’t anything better to
do, you would drive with me up Glen Falloch to Crianlarich," said Mrs.
Morrison.
"I shall be most delighted," replied Ena. "I’m sure it is awfully good
of you."
"Well, as we are both alone, it will be a pleasure for me to have your
company," Mrs. Morrison assured her.
Therefore at three o’clock they left in a carriage which took them away
into the picturesque glen for six miles or so, past the little village
of Inverarnan, until they reached that pleasant little spot Crianlarich,
sheltering beneath the high Ben More at the head of the narrow Glen
Dochart, with Loch Fay beyond.
They wandered about the heather gossiping on all sorts of subjects, the
Red Widow telling her a number of purely fictitious stories about
herself and her travels, while Mrs. Morrison told her much about the
happiness of her own married life.
"I have never cared to enter society because, while my husband lived, it
never attracted me," she said, as they sat together upon a rock among
the heather whence they had a magnificent view up Glen Dochart. "My
husband hated it. He was a self-made man. A baronetcy was offered him,
but he refused it. He did not agree with the system whereby donations
to party funds makes an honest man a pinchbeck gentleman."
Ena laughed.
"True!" she declared. "I admire Mr. Morrison for his outspokenness."
"Well, that is why I never entered society," Mrs. Morrison said, with a
sigh.
"But why don’t you see a little more of life?" Ena suggested. "You
appear, from what you say, to be buried alive at Carsphairn!"
"I see but very few people, but I take a great interest in the estate,
and I have a few shooting parties—mostly friends of my late husband."
"Why not come to London for a month or so? Go to the theatres and
restaurants, and have an enjoyable time? I do, and I find that I’m
amused and meet many interesting people. You are going to Brighton.
Why not remain in London for a bit after your visit there?" the Red
Widow suggested. "I know a good many people, and I think you would have
a nice time. Besides, you would do shopping also. Paris and London are
the only places where one can buy anything decent to wear nowadays."
"You are really very good, Mrs. Pollen, to offer to entertain me in
London," she declared. "Of course, I have other engagements, but——"
"Oh, but those can be broken. If you are going to Brighton, make a stay
in London on your return. I live in Upper Brook Street. Do you know
it?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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