I know when she got to
know him, too. It was just about the time that you first called here--at
the time of Mr. Bartle's death. Our butler told me this morning that
Pratt came here late one evening--just about that time!--and asked to
see my mother, and was with her for some time in the study. Oh! what is
it all about?--and why doesn't she tell me?"
Collingwood stood silently staring out of the window. At the time of
Antony Bartle's death? An evening visit?--evidently of a secret nature.
And why paid to Mrs. Mallathorpe at that particular time? He suddenly
turned to Nesta.
"What do you wish me to do?" he asked.
"Will you speak to Mr. Eldrick?" she said. "Tell him that his clerk must
not call upon, or attempt to see, my mother. I will not have it!"
Collingwood went off to Barford, and straight to Eldrick's office. He
noticed as he passed through the outer rooms that Pratt was not in his
accustomed place--as a rule, it was impossible to get at either Eldrick
or Pascoe without first seeing Pratt.
"Hullo!" said Eldrick. "Just got in from town? That's lucky--I've got a
big case for you."
"I got in last night," replied Collingwood. "But I went out to
Normandale first thing this morning: I've just come back from there. I
say, Eldrick, here's an unpleasant matter to tell you of"; and he told
the solicitor all that Nesta had just told him, and also of Pratt's
visit to Mrs.
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