CHAPTER XV--ON THE TRACK
Those who had seen Edgar Caswall familiarly since his arrival, and hadalready estimated his cold-blooded nature at something of its true value,were surprised that he took so to heart the death of old Chester. Thefact was that not one of them had guessed correctly at his character.They thought, naturally enough, that the concern which he felt was thatof a master for a faithful old servant of his family. They littlethought that it was merely the selfish expression of his disappointment,that he had thus lost the only remaining clue to an interesting piece offamily history--one which was now and would be for ever wrapped inmystery. Caswall knew enough about the life of his ancestor in Paris towish to know more fully and more thoroughly all that had been. Theperiod covered by that ancestor's life in Paris was one inviting everyform of curiosity.
Lady Arabella, who had her own game to play, saw in the _metier_ ofsympathetic friend, a series of meetings with the man she wanted tosecure. She made the first use of the opportunity the day after oldChester's death; indeed, as soon as the news had filtered in through theback door of Diana's Grove. At that meeting, she played her part so wellthat even Caswall's cold nature was impressed.
Oolanga was the only one who did not credit her with at least some senseof fine feeling in the matter. In emotional, as in other matters,Oolanga was distinctly a utilitarian, and as he could not understandanyone feeling grief except for his own suffering, pain, or for the lossof money, he could not understand anyone simulating such an emotionexcept for show intended to deceive. He thought that she had come toCastra Regis again for the opportunity of stealing something, and wasdetermined that on this occasion the chance of pressing his advantageover her should not pass. He felt, therefore, that the occasion was onefor extra carefulness in the watching of all that went on. Ever since hehad come to the conclusion that Lady Arabella was trying to steal thetreasure-chest, he suspected nearly everyone of the same design, and madeit a point to watch all suspicious persons and places. As Adam wasengaged on his own researches regarding Lady Arabella, it was onlynatural that there should be some crossing of each other's tracks. Thisis what did actually happen.
Adam had gone for an early morning survey of the place in which he wasinterested, taking with him the mongoose in its box. He arrived at thegate of Diana's Grove just as Lady Arabella was preparing to set out forCastra Regis on what she considered her mission of comfort. Seeing Adamfrom her window going through the shadows of the trees round the gate,she thought that he must be engaged on some purpose similar to her own.So, quickly making her toilet, she quietly left the house, and, takingadvantage of every shadow and substance which could hide her, followedhim on his walk.
Oolanga, the experienced tracker, followed her, but succeeded in hidinghis movements better than she did. He saw that Adam had on his shouldera mysterious box, which he took to contain something valuable. Seeingthat Lady Arabella was secretly following Adam, he was confirmed in thisidea. His mind--such as it was--was fixed on her trying to steal, and hecredited her at once with making use of this new opportunity.
In his walk, Adam went into the grounds of Castra Regis, and Oolanga sawher follow him with great secrecy. He feared to go closer, as now onboth sides of him were enemies who might make discovery. When herealised that Lady Arabella was bound for the Castle, he devoted himselfto following her with singleness of purpose. He therefore missed seeingthat Adam branched off the track and returned to the high road.
That night Edgar Caswall had slept badly. The tragic occurrence of theday was on his mind, and he kept waking and thinking of it. After anearly breakfast, he sat at the open window watching the kite and thinkingof many things. From his room he could see all round the neighbourhood,but the two places that interested him most were Mercy Farm and Diana'sGrove. At first the movements about those spots were of a humblekind--those that belong to domestic service or agricultural needs--theopening of doors and windows, the sweeping and brushing, and generallythe restoration of habitual order.
From his high window--whose height made it a screen from the observationof others--he saw the chain of watchers move into his own grounds, andthen presently break up--Adam Salton going one way, and Lady Arabella,followed by the nigger, another. Then Oolanga disappeared amongst thetrees; but Caswall could see that he was still watching. Lady Arabella,after looking around her, slipped in by the open door, and he could, ofcourse, see her no longer.
Presently, however, he heard a light tap at his door, then the dooropened slowly, and he could see the flash of Lady Arabella's white dressthrough the opening.