June 10, 2025 • 19 mins
Reunited after many years, two former classmates, now immersed in military life, find themselves seeking anonymity from the public eye. Dick West, a disgraced heir to his familys estate, waits for a message from his cousin through the infamous Red Window - a symbol of danger during times of civil strife. The message would signify his grandfathers forgiveness. However, things take an unexpected turn as a handkerchief wrapped around the old mans neck adds a layer of complexity to the situation. This summary is brought to you by Lynne Thompson.
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Chapter fifteen of The Red Window. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
by Craig Kenneth Bryant. The Red Window by Fergus Hume,
Chapter fifteen, The Past of Alice. The Lover stared at
(00:24):
Durham when he made this startling announcement. For startling, it
was considering how necessary Missus Gilroy's evidence was to procure
the freedom of Gore. He sat down, wiping his face,
for he had ridden over posthaste, and looked excessively chagrined.
When did she go? Asked Bernard, who was the first
to find his voice. Goodness knows, replied the lawyer in
(00:46):
vexed tones. She left early this morning, without saying she
was going. Miss Randolph heard the news at breakfast. One
of the grooms stated that he had seen Missus Gilroy
driving in a farmer's trap to the station at Postlely
about seven o'clock. Perhaps she will come back. No, she
has taken her box with her. She had only one.
I believe, I dare say she has taken fried over
(01:07):
what she led out to me the other day about
that precious son of hers. Here, Durham remembered that, so
far as he knew, Alice was ignorant of Michael Gore's existence.
She interrupted the Look, you can speak freely, mister Durham,
she said, Bernard has just told me all about the matter. Good,
said the solicitor, evidently relieved, as it did not necessitate
(01:29):
his entering into a long explanation of which he was
rather impatient. Then you know that Bernard and I suspect
Michael Gore. He has no right to that name, said Bernard, peremptorily. Well,
then Michael Gilroy, though for all we know his mother
may not have had a right to that name either.
But to come to the point, this disappearance of the
(01:49):
woman makes me more certain than ever that she alone
can tell the story of that night, and she won't
tell if it incriminates her son, said Alice. No, that's sir.
I made inquiries. You must have been quick about it,
observed Gore, glancing at his watch. It is barely three o'clock.
I went at once to make inquiries, said Durham. Missus
(02:10):
Gilroy ordered the trap over night and had her box removed,
though how she managed it without the servants at the
hall knowing, I am not prepared to say, but she
did and went to the postly station. There she took
a ticket to London. She is lost there now here.
Durham made a gesture of despair, and goodness knows when
we will set eyes on her again. I can tell
(02:31):
you that put in Alice briskly, and both men looked
inquiringly at her. She will reappear when she is able
to establish the fact that Michael is the heir, which
means that she must prove her own marriage. If there
was any begging, your pardon, miss Malleson, to have taken
place prior to that of Walter Gore with Signora Tolomeo,
(02:52):
my uncle will be able to prove that. I'll see
him about it. As there is some difficulty in knowing
where your parents were married, Bernard, your father can the
marriage a secret from your grandfather? Afterwards, Sir Simon received
your mother at the hall and was fairly friendly with her.
I don't think he ever became quite reconciled to your father. Well, well,
said Bernard hastily. Let us leave that point alone for
(03:14):
the present. What are we to do. Now, we must
have a council of war. By the way, Conniston is
stopping at the hall till this evening, Bernard, he will
be back at dinner. Alice smiled. I think Lord Conniston
is enjoying himself, you mean with miss Randolph, said Durham.
I devoutly wish he may take a fancy to that lady.
(03:35):
I think he has put in Bernard smiling also, all
the better if he makes her lady Conniston. It will
be a good day's work. Only marriage will tame Conniston.
I have had no end of trouble with him. He
is a trial. Oh. Lucy is a clever girl and
can guide him if she becomes his wife, mister Durham,
And now that her engagement is broken with mister Beryl,
(03:57):
I dare say it will come off the marriage. I
mean she seems to be attracted by Lord Conniston. And
small wonder, said Miss Berengaria, entering at this moment. I
really think Conniston is a nice fellow, much nicer than Bernard. Here.
I won't hear that, aunt, said Alice indignantly. My dear,
I always speak my mind. How are you? Durham, added
(04:18):
the old lady, turning on the dapper solicitor. You look worried,
missus Gilroy has bolted. Miss Berengaria rubbed her nose. The
deuce take the woman. Why has she done that? I
always thought she was a bad lot. Do you know
anything about her, aunt, Yes, I do, and much more
than she likes. She's a gypsy. I thought she was,
(04:39):
said Durham, remembering the romany dialect used by the housekeeper.
But she doesn't look like a gypsy, well, said Miss Berengaria,
rubbing her nose again and taking a seat. She's not
a real gypsy. But I believe some tribe in New Forest,
the levels I understand, picked her up and looked after her.
All I know of her dates from the time she
came to Hurston with the Gypsies. She was then a
(05:02):
comely young woman, and I believe Walter Gore admired her.
My father, said Bernard Coloring. I beg your pardon, my dear,
said the old lady. I can't say good of your father,
and I won't say bad, so let me hold my tongue. No,
said Durham, rather to the surprise of the others. Now
you have said so much, Miss Plantagenet. You must say
all all, what, demanded the old lady aggressively. Well, you
(05:26):
see missus Gilroy claims to have married Walter Gore. Then
she's a liar, said miss Berengaria emphatically and vulgarly. Why
Walter was married to your mother, Bernard at that time?
Are you sure, he asked eagerly. Of course I am.
I don't make any statements unless I am sure. It
was after the marriage. For Sir Simon, I was friends
(05:48):
with him, then consulted me about your father having married
the Italian woman. Begging your pardon again, Bernard, I then
learned the date of the marriage, and it was quite
three years afterwards that Walter saw missus Gilroy. I don't
know what she called herself then, but she disappeared, and
I understand from Sir Simon she married Walter under the
impression he was a single man. Drat the profligate, added
(06:11):
Missus Berengaria. Then the son son, echoed the old lady,
turning to Durham, who had spoken, you don't mean to
say there is a son, yes, and Durham, thinking it
best to be explicit, gave a detailed account of Missus
Gilroy's interview. Miss Berengaria listened with great attention and gave
her verdict promptly. That's as plain as the nose on
(06:32):
my face, she said. Missus Gilroy was really married, as
she thought. But when she came to see Sir Simon,
and that was after the death of both of your parents,
my dear, she interpolated, turning to Gore, she must have
learned the truth. I think the old rascal. No, I
won't speak evil of the dead, but the good old man.
Her hearers smiled at this. The good old saint was
(06:55):
sorry for her. He made her the housekeeper and promised
to provide for her after his death five hundred a year,
she says. Put in durham Ah. I can't conceive Simon
Gore parting with money to that extent, said Miss Berengaria dryly,
especially to one who had no claim upon him whatsoever.
You don't think she had deuce take the man, don't
(07:16):
I say so? Of course she hadn't. Walter Gore deceived
her begging your pardon for the third time, Bernard, But
Sir Simon acted very well by her. I will say
that as to their being the son, I never heard.
But if this, what do you call him, Michael Gilroy? Well,
if Michael Gilroy is the image of Bernard, who is
the image of his father in looks, though I hope
(07:37):
not in conduct, there is no doubt that he was
the man admitted by missus Gilroy who killed Sir Simon.
Of course she will fight tooth and nail for her son,
I dare say. I am convinced that it is fear
of what she said to you, mister Durham, that has
made her go away, And a good reddance of bad rubbish,
say I concluded the old spinster vigorously, And for goodness sake,
(08:00):
where is the luncheon? I'm starving? This speech provoked a laugh,
and as every one's nerves were rather worn by the
position of affairs, it was decided to banish all further
discussion until the meal was over. Miss Berengaria, without being told,
took the head of the table. I represent the family
in the absence of that silly young donkey, she said. Oh,
Miss Berengaria, said Bernard, smiling. If you call Conniston that,
(08:23):
what do you call me? A foolish boy who lost
his head when he should have kept it? I have
lost my heart at all events. Alice laughed, and they
had a very pleasant meal. Miss Berengaria was really fond
of Gore, and of Conniston too, but she liked to,
as she put it, take them down a peg or two.
But whenever there was trouble, Miss Berengaria, in spite of
(08:43):
her sharp tongue, was always to be relied upon. Her
bark was five times as bad as her bite. Therefore,
those present made all allowance for her somewhat free speech.
We start back at half past four, announced the old
lady when the luncheon was ended. As I don't like
driving in the dark. It is now for so you
have just time to talk over what is to be done.
(09:03):
What do you advise, Miss Berengaria, asked Durham. I advise
Bernard to give himself up and face the matter out,
Oh aunt, cried Alice, taking her lover's hand. My dear,
this whole and corner business is no good, and the
discovery of the likeness between Michael and Bernard brings a
new element into play. If Bernard lets himself be arrested,
the whole business can be threshed out in daylight. Besides,
(09:26):
as we stand now that Beryl creature drat Him will
make mischief. He has found out that Bernard is alive,
said Alice. That's impossible, cried Durham, waking up and sitting
apparently on thorns. He doesn't know Bernard is at this castle.
Alice has put the matter wrongly, said Bernard, taking out
the letter of Beryl. She received this from Julius. He
(09:49):
says he saw me in the streets of London. That
means he saw Michael gilroy Ah and made the mistake
as everyone else seems to have done. I doubt that, Alice,
said miss Plantagenet. I doubt that very much. It seems
to me that Beryl drat Him knows a great deal
more than we do. It's my opinion, added the old lady,
looking round triumphantly, that Beryl has used Michael as an instrument.
(10:16):
I think so, also, said Durham quickly. And it comes
to this that if I accidentally met Michael, or if
he called at my office representing himself as Bernard, I
should accept him as such. What for, asked Bernard angrily.
There you go with your temper, said miss Berengaria. Durham
is quite right, and shows more sense than I expected
(10:37):
from him. The only way to get at the truth,
which this Michael with his mother knows, is to give
him a long enough rope to let him hang himself.
I dare say if Durham won his confidence, the man
might presume on his being accepted as Bernard, and might
give us a clue. What do you say, Alice? Don't
sit twiddling your thumbs, but answer. Miss Malleson laughed, I
(10:58):
agree with you, aunt, of course you do. Am I
ever wrong? Well? She looked round. Durham answered her. Look
I will go back to London, he said, and we'll
advertise for missus Gilroy. She won't be such a fool
as to obey. I beg your pardon, Miss Plantagenet, she may,
she won't, I tell you. Then Michael may come. What
(11:18):
with that murder hanging over his head? Rubbish you forget,
Bernard is accused. Michael can clear himself. Miss Berengaria snorted
and rubbed her nose. Can he? And I should very
much like to know how he can do what you like,
young man. But mark my words, your net will catch
no fish. It may catch Beryl, said Bernard thoughtfully. When
(11:39):
he sees Mark advertising, he will be on the lookout
to have Michael arrested, as Bernard said, Miss Berengaria, Well
he might, and if so, all the better for you. Gore. Oh,
dear me, She rose to put on her bonnet. What
a lot of trouble all this is, and it rose
from Bernard being true to me, said Alice tenderly, as
(12:01):
if you weren't worth the world, said Bernard, assisting her
to put on her cloak. Eh, what's that, said the
old lady, hum, Bernard, your grandfather was a silly fool. No,
I won't say that, but he was an upsetting peacock.
The idea of not thinking Alice good enough for you,
she is too good for me. I quite agree with you,
said the lawyer, laughing. But you see, Miss Berengaria, it
(12:23):
was not the personality of miss Malleson that Sir Simon
objected to, but her. I know, I know, said the
old lady, tartly. Bless the man. Does he take me
for an idiot? She sat down. I'm a fool. Everyone
looked at one another when Miss Berengaria made this startling announcement.
As a rule, she called others fools, but she was
(12:44):
chary of applying the term to herself. She looked round.
I am a fool, she announced again, Alice, come and
sit down. I have something to say that should have
been said long ago. What is it? Asked the girl,
seating herself beside the old lady, Miss Berengaria, a rare
thing for her, began to weep. The air here is
(13:05):
too strong for me, she said, an excuse all the same,
I must speak out, even through my tears, silly woman,
that I am. Oh, if I hadn't been too proud
to explain to that dead peacock, she meant, the late baronet,
all this would have been avoided. Do you mean my
grandfather would have consented to the marriage? I mean nothing
(13:25):
of the sort, Bernard, So don't interrupt, said Miss Berengaria sharply.
But I'm a fool, Bernard. I beg your pardon if
you would come to the point, Miss Plantagenet, and I
am coming to it. Durham, she said, quickly, don't worry me.
It is this way. Sir Simon objected to Alice, because
he knew nothing of her parentage. I know nothing myself,
(13:47):
said Alice, sadly. Well, then I intend to tell you
now you are perfectly well born, and you have every
right to the name of Malleson, though why Sir Simon
thought you hadn't. I can't say, give me your hand,
my love, and I'll tell you who you are as
concisely as possible. Alice did as she was told, and
Miss Plantagenet began in a hurry, as though anxious to
(14:09):
get over a disagreeable task. Durham and Bernard listened with
all their ears. Miss Berengaria noticed this. You needn't look
so eager, she said, tartly. The story is dull, Alice.
Do you remember that I told you I was engaged
once to a wicked fool. Yes, you said, there's no
need to repeat what I said. I am quite sure
(14:29):
it wasn't edifying. I have far too long a tongue,
but old age will be garrulous. Drat it. Well, then, Alice,
that man who said he loved me and lied was
your grandfather. He married a girl with money for then.
I had only my looks, and I was handsome, said
Miss Berengaria emphatically. But George, his name was George, and
(14:50):
I've hated it ever since. Didn't want beauty or brains.
He wanted money and got it along with a weeping
idiot whose heart he broke. I swore never to look
on a man again, and when my father died, I
came to live at the bower. But I heard that
George's wife had died, leaving him one daughter. That was me,
said Alice hastily. Nothing of the sort. I said that George.
(15:14):
His other name doesn't matter at present, although it can
be mentioned if necessary. I said that George was your grandfather.
The daughter grew up and married your father. It was
a colonel in the Indian Army. But both your parents
died when you were young. I received you from your
dying mother's arms, and I sent you to a convent.
I couldn't bear the sight of you for months, said
(15:36):
the old lady energetically. You have a look of handsome George,
and handsome he was. Well. Then, when you grew up
and behaved yourself, I took you from the convent, and
you have been with me ever since. You are my
second mother, said Alice, embracing her the first the only mother,
said Miss Berengaria. Sharply, you never knew any mother but me,
(15:59):
and as your grandfather defrauded me of my rights to marry.
I look upon you as my child. But why did
you not tell this perfectly plain story to Sir Simon?
Why didn't I? Durham asked missus Berengaria tearfully. You may
well ask that pride, my dear pride. Sir Simon and
I were in society together. He wanted to marry me,
(16:22):
and I refused. So I never became your grandmother, Bernard,
and I certainly should never have had a son like
your father who is Don't he is my father after all?
Was you mean seeing he is dead? Well, my dear boy,
I'll say nothing about him. But Sir Simon loved me,
and I preferred George, who was a villain. I couldn't
(16:44):
bear to think that Sir Simon should know I had
forgotten my anger against George to the extent of helping
his granddaughter an unworthy feeling. You all think it, of course,
of course, but I am a woman when all is
said and done, my DearS, And another thing, Simon gore
was too dictatorial for me, and I wasn't going to
(17:05):
give any explanation besides which had he known, Alice, that
you were George's granddaughter and he hated George, he would
have been more set against the marriage than ever. And
now you know what a wicked woman I have been.
Not wicked, aunt, said Alice, kissing the withered cheek. Yes, wicked,
(17:27):
said Miss Berengaria, sobbing. I should have told the truth
and shamed the I mean shamed Sir Simon. Perhaps I
could have arranged the marriage, had I subdued my pride
into obeying Sir Simon. But I couldn't and he was angry,
and all these troubles have arisen out of my silly silence.
Oh no, said Bernard, sorry for her distress. Oh yes,
(17:51):
cried the old lady, rising and drying her tears. Don't
you contradict me, Bernard. If I had told the truth
and let Sir Simon know that our allis was well born,
he might have consented, Not if he knew Alice was
George's granddaughter. Miss Berengaria tossed her head. I don't know,
she said, moving towards the door. I might have managed
(18:12):
him obstinate as he was. But if Sir Simon had
not been angry, he would not have sent you away, Bernard.
And then all this rubbish about the red window would
not have drawn you to that dreadful house to be
accused of a wicked crime. But oh, dear me, what's
the use of talking? Here are the horses standing all
this time at the door, and it's getting on to five.
(18:32):
Alice come home, and Miss Berengaria sailed out wrathfully. The
others looked at one another and smiled. Then Durham left
the lovers alone and went to assist Miss Berengaria into
the carriage. She was already in, and caught his hand.
Spare no expense to help that dear boy, she whispered,
He must be set free. And for goodness sake, tell
(18:54):
Alice to come at once. Why is she driveling there? Love,
miss Berengaria, love stuff, said the old lady. And a
man of your age talking, So good bye, Alice. Are
you comfortable? James, drive on and don't upset us. End
of Chapter fifteen. Recording by Craig Kenneth Bryant
Chapter fifteen of The Red Window. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Recording
by Craig Kenneth Bryant. The Red Window by Fergus Hume,
Chapter fifteen, The Past of Alice. The Lover stared at
(00:24):
Durham when he made this startling announcement. For startling, it
was considering how necessary Missus Gilroy's evidence was to procure
the freedom of Gore. He sat down, wiping his face,
for he had ridden over posthaste, and looked excessively chagrined.
When did she go? Asked Bernard, who was the first
to find his voice. Goodness knows, replied the lawyer in
(00:46):
vexed tones. She left early this morning, without saying she
was going. Miss Randolph heard the news at breakfast. One
of the grooms stated that he had seen Missus Gilroy
driving in a farmer's trap to the station at Postlely
about seven o'clock. Perhaps she will come back. No, she
has taken her box with her. She had only one.
I believe, I dare say she has taken fried over
(01:07):
what she led out to me the other day about
that precious son of hers. Here, Durham remembered that, so
far as he knew, Alice was ignorant of Michael Gore's existence.
She interrupted the Look, you can speak freely, mister Durham,
she said, Bernard has just told me all about the matter. Good,
said the solicitor, evidently relieved, as it did not necessitate
(01:29):
his entering into a long explanation of which he was
rather impatient. Then you know that Bernard and I suspect
Michael Gore. He has no right to that name, said Bernard, peremptorily. Well,
then Michael Gilroy, though for all we know his mother
may not have had a right to that name either.
But to come to the point, this disappearance of the
(01:49):
woman makes me more certain than ever that she alone
can tell the story of that night, and she won't
tell if it incriminates her son, said Alice. No, that's sir.
I made inquiries. You must have been quick about it,
observed Gore, glancing at his watch. It is barely three o'clock.
I went at once to make inquiries, said Durham. Missus
(02:10):
Gilroy ordered the trap over night and had her box removed,
though how she managed it without the servants at the
hall knowing, I am not prepared to say, but she
did and went to the postly station. There she took
a ticket to London. She is lost there now here.
Durham made a gesture of despair, and goodness knows when
we will set eyes on her again. I can tell
(02:31):
you that put in Alice briskly, and both men looked
inquiringly at her. She will reappear when she is able
to establish the fact that Michael is the heir, which
means that she must prove her own marriage. If there
was any begging, your pardon, miss Malleson, to have taken
place prior to that of Walter Gore with Signora Tolomeo,
(02:52):
my uncle will be able to prove that. I'll see
him about it. As there is some difficulty in knowing
where your parents were married, Bernard, your father can the
marriage a secret from your grandfather? Afterwards, Sir Simon received
your mother at the hall and was fairly friendly with her.
I don't think he ever became quite reconciled to your father. Well, well,
said Bernard hastily. Let us leave that point alone for
(03:14):
the present. What are we to do. Now, we must
have a council of war. By the way, Conniston is
stopping at the hall till this evening, Bernard, he will
be back at dinner. Alice smiled. I think Lord Conniston
is enjoying himself, you mean with miss Randolph, said Durham.
I devoutly wish he may take a fancy to that lady.
(03:35):
I think he has put in Bernard smiling also, all
the better if he makes her lady Conniston. It will
be a good day's work. Only marriage will tame Conniston.
I have had no end of trouble with him. He
is a trial. Oh. Lucy is a clever girl and
can guide him if she becomes his wife, mister Durham,
And now that her engagement is broken with mister Beryl,
(03:57):
I dare say it will come off the marriage. I
mean she seems to be attracted by Lord Conniston. And
small wonder, said Miss Berengaria, entering at this moment. I
really think Conniston is a nice fellow, much nicer than Bernard. Here.
I won't hear that, aunt, said Alice indignantly. My dear,
I always speak my mind. How are you? Durham, added
(04:18):
the old lady, turning on the dapper solicitor. You look worried,
missus Gilroy has bolted. Miss Berengaria rubbed her nose. The
deuce take the woman. Why has she done that? I
always thought she was a bad lot. Do you know
anything about her, aunt, Yes, I do, and much more
than she likes. She's a gypsy. I thought she was,
(04:39):
said Durham, remembering the romany dialect used by the housekeeper.
But she doesn't look like a gypsy, well, said Miss Berengaria,
rubbing her nose again and taking a seat. She's not
a real gypsy. But I believe some tribe in New Forest,
the levels I understand, picked her up and looked after her.
All I know of her dates from the time she
came to Hurston with the Gypsies. She was then a
(05:02):
comely young woman, and I believe Walter Gore admired her.
My father, said Bernard Coloring. I beg your pardon, my dear,
said the old lady. I can't say good of your father,
and I won't say bad, so let me hold my tongue. No,
said Durham, rather to the surprise of the others. Now
you have said so much, Miss Plantagenet. You must say
all all, what, demanded the old lady aggressively. Well, you
(05:26):
see missus Gilroy claims to have married Walter Gore. Then
she's a liar, said miss Berengaria emphatically and vulgarly. Why
Walter was married to your mother, Bernard at that time?
Are you sure, he asked eagerly. Of course I am.
I don't make any statements unless I am sure. It
was after the marriage. For Sir Simon, I was friends
(05:48):
with him, then consulted me about your father having married
the Italian woman. Begging your pardon again, Bernard, I then
learned the date of the marriage, and it was quite
three years afterwards that Walter saw missus Gilroy. I don't
know what she called herself then, but she disappeared, and
I understand from Sir Simon she married Walter under the
impression he was a single man. Drat the profligate, added
(06:11):
Missus Berengaria. Then the son son, echoed the old lady,
turning to Durham, who had spoken, you don't mean to
say there is a son, yes, and Durham, thinking it
best to be explicit, gave a detailed account of Missus
Gilroy's interview. Miss Berengaria listened with great attention and gave
her verdict promptly. That's as plain as the nose on
(06:32):
my face, she said. Missus Gilroy was really married, as
she thought. But when she came to see Sir Simon,
and that was after the death of both of your parents,
my dear, she interpolated, turning to Gore, she must have
learned the truth. I think the old rascal. No, I
won't speak evil of the dead, but the good old man.
Her hearers smiled at this. The good old saint was
(06:55):
sorry for her. He made her the housekeeper and promised
to provide for her after his death five hundred a year,
she says. Put in durham Ah. I can't conceive Simon
Gore parting with money to that extent, said Miss Berengaria dryly,
especially to one who had no claim upon him whatsoever.
You don't think she had deuce take the man, don't
(07:16):
I say so? Of course she hadn't. Walter Gore deceived
her begging your pardon for the third time, Bernard, But
Sir Simon acted very well by her. I will say
that as to their being the son, I never heard.
But if this, what do you call him, Michael Gilroy? Well,
if Michael Gilroy is the image of Bernard, who is
the image of his father in looks, though I hope
(07:37):
not in conduct, there is no doubt that he was
the man admitted by missus Gilroy who killed Sir Simon.
Of course she will fight tooth and nail for her son,
I dare say. I am convinced that it is fear
of what she said to you, mister Durham, that has
made her go away, And a good reddance of bad rubbish,
say I concluded the old spinster vigorously, And for goodness sake,
(08:00):
where is the luncheon? I'm starving? This speech provoked a laugh,
and as every one's nerves were rather worn by the
position of affairs, it was decided to banish all further
discussion until the meal was over. Miss Berengaria, without being told,
took the head of the table. I represent the family
in the absence of that silly young donkey, she said. Oh,
Miss Berengaria, said Bernard, smiling. If you call Conniston that,
(08:23):
what do you call me? A foolish boy who lost
his head when he should have kept it? I have
lost my heart at all events. Alice laughed, and they
had a very pleasant meal. Miss Berengaria was really fond
of Gore, and of Conniston too, but she liked to,
as she put it, take them down a peg or two.
But whenever there was trouble, Miss Berengaria, in spite of
(08:43):
her sharp tongue, was always to be relied upon. Her
bark was five times as bad as her bite. Therefore,
those present made all allowance for her somewhat free speech.
We start back at half past four, announced the old
lady when the luncheon was ended. As I don't like
driving in the dark. It is now for so you
have just time to talk over what is to be done.
(09:03):
What do you advise, Miss Berengaria, asked Durham. I advise
Bernard to give himself up and face the matter out,
Oh aunt, cried Alice, taking her lover's hand. My dear,
this whole and corner business is no good, and the
discovery of the likeness between Michael and Bernard brings a
new element into play. If Bernard lets himself be arrested,
the whole business can be threshed out in daylight. Besides,
(09:26):
as we stand now that Beryl creature drat Him will
make mischief. He has found out that Bernard is alive,
said Alice. That's impossible, cried Durham, waking up and sitting
apparently on thorns. He doesn't know Bernard is at this castle.
Alice has put the matter wrongly, said Bernard, taking out
the letter of Beryl. She received this from Julius. He
(09:49):
says he saw me in the streets of London. That
means he saw Michael gilroy Ah and made the mistake
as everyone else seems to have done. I doubt that, Alice,
said miss Plantagenet. I doubt that very much. It seems
to me that Beryl drat Him knows a great deal
more than we do. It's my opinion, added the old lady,
looking round triumphantly, that Beryl has used Michael as an instrument.
(10:16):
I think so, also, said Durham quickly. And it comes
to this that if I accidentally met Michael, or if
he called at my office representing himself as Bernard, I
should accept him as such. What for, asked Bernard angrily.
There you go with your temper, said miss Berengaria. Durham
is quite right, and shows more sense than I expected
(10:37):
from him. The only way to get at the truth,
which this Michael with his mother knows, is to give
him a long enough rope to let him hang himself.
I dare say if Durham won his confidence, the man
might presume on his being accepted as Bernard, and might
give us a clue. What do you say, Alice? Don't
sit twiddling your thumbs, but answer. Miss Malleson laughed, I
(10:58):
agree with you, aunt, of course you do. Am I
ever wrong? Well? She looked round. Durham answered her. Look
I will go back to London, he said, and we'll
advertise for missus Gilroy. She won't be such a fool
as to obey. I beg your pardon, Miss Plantagenet, she may,
she won't, I tell you. Then Michael may come. What
(11:18):
with that murder hanging over his head? Rubbish you forget,
Bernard is accused. Michael can clear himself. Miss Berengaria snorted
and rubbed her nose. Can he? And I should very
much like to know how he can do what you like,
young man. But mark my words, your net will catch
no fish. It may catch Beryl, said Bernard thoughtfully. When
(11:39):
he sees Mark advertising, he will be on the lookout
to have Michael arrested, as Bernard said, Miss Berengaria, Well
he might, and if so, all the better for you. Gore. Oh,
dear me, She rose to put on her bonnet. What
a lot of trouble all this is, and it rose
from Bernard being true to me, said Alice tenderly, as
(12:01):
if you weren't worth the world, said Bernard, assisting her
to put on her cloak. Eh, what's that, said the
old lady, hum, Bernard, your grandfather was a silly fool. No,
I won't say that, but he was an upsetting peacock.
The idea of not thinking Alice good enough for you,
she is too good for me. I quite agree with you,
said the lawyer, laughing. But you see, Miss Berengaria, it
(12:23):
was not the personality of miss Malleson that Sir Simon
objected to, but her. I know, I know, said the
old lady, tartly. Bless the man. Does he take me
for an idiot? She sat down. I'm a fool. Everyone
looked at one another when Miss Berengaria made this startling announcement.
As a rule, she called others fools, but she was
(12:44):
chary of applying the term to herself. She looked round.
I am a fool, she announced again, Alice, come and
sit down. I have something to say that should have
been said long ago. What is it? Asked the girl,
seating herself beside the old lady, Miss Berengaria, a rare
thing for her, began to weep. The air here is
(13:05):
too strong for me, she said, an excuse all the same,
I must speak out, even through my tears, silly woman,
that I am. Oh, if I hadn't been too proud
to explain to that dead peacock, she meant, the late baronet,
all this would have been avoided. Do you mean my
grandfather would have consented to the marriage? I mean nothing
(13:25):
of the sort, Bernard, So don't interrupt, said Miss Berengaria sharply.
But I'm a fool, Bernard. I beg your pardon if
you would come to the point, Miss Plantagenet, and I
am coming to it. Durham, she said, quickly, don't worry me.
It is this way. Sir Simon objected to Alice, because
he knew nothing of her parentage. I know nothing myself,
(13:47):
said Alice, sadly. Well, then I intend to tell you
now you are perfectly well born, and you have every
right to the name of Malleson, though why Sir Simon
thought you hadn't. I can't say, give me your hand,
my love, and I'll tell you who you are as
concisely as possible. Alice did as she was told, and
Miss Plantagenet began in a hurry, as though anxious to
(14:09):
get over a disagreeable task. Durham and Bernard listened with
all their ears. Miss Berengaria noticed this. You needn't look
so eager, she said, tartly. The story is dull, Alice.
Do you remember that I told you I was engaged
once to a wicked fool. Yes, you said, there's no
need to repeat what I said. I am quite sure
(14:29):
it wasn't edifying. I have far too long a tongue,
but old age will be garrulous. Drat it. Well, then, Alice,
that man who said he loved me and lied was
your grandfather. He married a girl with money for then.
I had only my looks, and I was handsome, said
Miss Berengaria emphatically. But George, his name was George, and
(14:50):
I've hated it ever since. Didn't want beauty or brains.
He wanted money and got it along with a weeping
idiot whose heart he broke. I swore never to look
on a man again, and when my father died, I
came to live at the bower. But I heard that
George's wife had died, leaving him one daughter. That was me,
said Alice hastily. Nothing of the sort. I said that George.
(15:14):
His other name doesn't matter at present, although it can
be mentioned if necessary. I said that George was your grandfather.
The daughter grew up and married your father. It was
a colonel in the Indian Army. But both your parents
died when you were young. I received you from your
dying mother's arms, and I sent you to a convent.
I couldn't bear the sight of you for months, said
(15:36):
the old lady energetically. You have a look of handsome George,
and handsome he was. Well. Then, when you grew up
and behaved yourself, I took you from the convent, and
you have been with me ever since. You are my
second mother, said Alice, embracing her the first the only mother,
said Miss Berengaria. Sharply, you never knew any mother but me,
(15:59):
and as your grandfather defrauded me of my rights to marry.
I look upon you as my child. But why did
you not tell this perfectly plain story to Sir Simon?
Why didn't I? Durham asked missus Berengaria tearfully. You may
well ask that pride, my dear pride. Sir Simon and
I were in society together. He wanted to marry me,
(16:22):
and I refused. So I never became your grandmother, Bernard,
and I certainly should never have had a son like
your father who is Don't he is my father after all?
Was you mean seeing he is dead? Well, my dear boy,
I'll say nothing about him. But Sir Simon loved me,
and I preferred George, who was a villain. I couldn't
(16:44):
bear to think that Sir Simon should know I had
forgotten my anger against George to the extent of helping
his granddaughter an unworthy feeling. You all think it, of course,
of course, but I am a woman when all is
said and done, my DearS, And another thing, Simon gore
was too dictatorial for me, and I wasn't going to
(17:05):
give any explanation besides which had he known, Alice, that
you were George's granddaughter and he hated George, he would
have been more set against the marriage than ever. And
now you know what a wicked woman I have been.
Not wicked, aunt, said Alice, kissing the withered cheek. Yes, wicked,
(17:27):
said Miss Berengaria, sobbing. I should have told the truth
and shamed the I mean shamed Sir Simon. Perhaps I
could have arranged the marriage, had I subdued my pride
into obeying Sir Simon. But I couldn't and he was angry,
and all these troubles have arisen out of my silly silence.
Oh no, said Bernard, sorry for her distress. Oh yes,
(17:51):
cried the old lady, rising and drying her tears. Don't
you contradict me, Bernard. If I had told the truth
and let Sir Simon know that our allis was well born,
he might have consented, Not if he knew Alice was
George's granddaughter. Miss Berengaria tossed her head. I don't know,
she said, moving towards the door. I might have managed
(18:12):
him obstinate as he was. But if Sir Simon had
not been angry, he would not have sent you away, Bernard.
And then all this rubbish about the red window would
not have drawn you to that dreadful house to be
accused of a wicked crime. But oh, dear me, what's
the use of talking? Here are the horses standing all
this time at the door, and it's getting on to five.
(18:32):
Alice come home, and Miss Berengaria sailed out wrathfully. The
others looked at one another and smiled. Then Durham left
the lovers alone and went to assist Miss Berengaria into
the carriage. She was already in, and caught his hand.
Spare no expense to help that dear boy, she whispered,
He must be set free. And for goodness sake, tell
(18:54):
Alice to come at once. Why is she driveling there? Love,
miss Berengaria, love stuff, said the old lady. And a
man of your age talking, So good bye, Alice. Are
you comfortable? James, drive on and don't upset us. End
of Chapter fifteen. Recording by Craig Kenneth Bryant
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