"Well, you see, sir, in nine months after the marriage Mr. Fielding died, leaving Madaline with no money and a little child. About the same time Lady Fellenger died at the birth of the dead Sir Gregory. Somebody was wanted as a nurse, and Madaline asked Sir Francis if she could come. She was poor, you see, and wanted money, although after the death of her husband she was living with her father. At first Sir Francis would not let her come--feeling ashamed-like, no doubt--but in some way she prevailed against him, and went to the hall as the nurse to the heir." "And what about her own child?" "She took him also, by permission of Sir Francis." "Oh! was the child of Madaline a son?" "Yes. Her son and that of Sir Francis were born almost on the same day; she insisted that her son should come to the Hall also, so Sir Francis agreed in the end." "And Madaline Garry nursed the heir--that is, the late Sir Gregory?" "She did," assented Mrs. Prisom. "Till Sir Francis was killed, as I told you, five weeks after the death of his wife. His body was brought home and buried; but, almost immediately after the funeral, Madaline disappeared with her child. She was never heard of again; and I have no doubt that by this time she is dead." "How long ago is it since she disappeared?" asked Fanks. "Twenty-eight years, sir. Where she and the child went, I do not know; for she had no money. Poor soul; I was sorry for her." "And her sister and Captain Garry?" "Captain Garry died soon after. Madaline was his favourite child; he never held up his head after she disappeared. When the Captain died, Miss Jane went to some relatives in Scotland." "And the heir?" "Sir Gregory? Oh, Dr. Binjoy got another nurse for him." Fanks glanced up in astonishment. "Dr. Binjoy!" he repeated. "Was he here?" "Of course he was, sir," replied Mrs. Prisom, with a slight shade of surprise, "he was at the births of both Madaline's child and Sir Gregory. Afterwards, when the father of Sir Louis died, he asked Dr. Binjoy to look after his son, who was sickly. The doctor agreed; and he has been with Sir Louis ever since." "Yet now they are about to part." "It seems strange, doesn't it, sir?" said Mrs. Prisom, "but ever since Dr. Binjoy has been here with Sir Louis, they have got on badly. I think it was the chemistry which kept them together; for their characters are quite unlike one another." "You like Sir Louis?" "Yes. But I don't like Dr. Binjoy. No. Not though I have known him for so many years. He was a lover of Madaline Garry also, but she would have nothing to do with him. I am glad he is leaving Sir Louis." "Was Binjoy friendly with Sir Gregory?" "I can't say, sir. I do not think he had much love for him; because he was the heir and kept Sir Louis out of the property." "Oh; and no doubt Binjoy wanted Sir Louis to have the property, so that he could get a share of the money."