"In this very garden." And Beatrice related how the tramp had suddenly
appeared to mar the beauty of the scene. "He wanted to see you," she
concluded, "but Durban sent him away."
"Had I seen the brute I should have horsewhipped him," cried the young
man angrily. "He was a spy of Alpenny's."
"On me?--on you?"
"On us both. Alpenny knew that I loved you, and did not want us to
meet. He told Waterloo, who was hanging round The Camp, to keep his eye
on you and on me. Waterloo confessed----"
"Did you catch him?"
"Yes, I did, and nearly broke his neck. He confessed that he had been
set to watch by Mr. Alpenny, and had been lurking outside the great
gates of The Camp."
"I saw him," said Beatrice, recalling the vague shadow which she had
seen crouching in the shade on that fatal night.
"He saw you go past," went on Paslow, "and followed to the Witches' Oak
like your shadow. When I caught him he told me all this, so I gave him
a kicking and let him go. The dog was not worth fouling my hands with.
Then I went back to the Oak to find you. You had gone, so I fancied
that you had gone home. I did not follow, as I thought that I might run
up against Alpenny and that there would be more trouble. I went home to
the Grange, and then was coming along the next morning to see you, and
give you the key, when I met Durban."
"It was then that you heard of the murder?"
"Yes; and afterwards went up to town to see Alpenny's lawyer about your
chances of getting the money. You see, Beatrice, Major Ruck, and other
creatures employed by Alpenny, were quite capable of destroying the
will, so as to get the money themselves."
"But how could they do that?"
"By bribing or blackmailing the lawyer of Alpenny. The man is not above
reproach, as he did much dirty work for Alpenny. Ruck knows of many
of these underhanded dealings; and on hearing of Alpenny's death, it
struck me that Ruck might try to force the lawyer--Tuft is his name--to
destroy any will that might be made in your favour, by threatening to
communicate with the police. However, I saw Tuft, and he produced the
will. It was genuine enough, as I know Alpenny's handwriting very well.
The money was left, as you know, to Lady Watson. I believe that years
ago Alpenny admired her, although I do not see why he should leave her
such a large fortune and cut you out."
"He hated me," said Beatrice sadly; "he always did. Before he died he
told me to expect nothing, and I am a pauper, as you know. Vivian," she
said suddenly, "let us put off our marriage for a time. I can go out as
a governess, and we can wait."
"Why should we wait?" he asked quickly, and his arms went round her in
a firm embrace.
"Are you sure," murmured Beatrice, "that if I marry you, all trouble
will be at an end?"
"Quite sure. My first wife is dead, so I can take a second. Ruck and
those other beasts cannot harm me now. No, Beatrice, we shall marry in
a week as you promised."
"I have no wedding-dress!"