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Page 46
"Mr. Folliot," she replied. "He called me into his garden, to
give me those roses, and he mentioned that Mrs. Deramore had
said these things to Mrs. Folliot, and as he seemed to think
it highly probable that Mrs. Folliot would repeat them, he
told me because he didn't want you to think that the rumour
had originally arisen at his house."
"Very good of him, I'm sure," remarked Ransford dryly. "They
all like to shift the blame from one to another! But," he
added, looking searchingly at her, "you don't know anything
about--Braden's having come here?"
He saw at once that she did, and Mary saw a slight shade of
anxiety come over his face.
"Yes, I do!" she replied. "That morning. But--it was told to
me, only today, in strict confidence."
"In strict confidence!" he repeated. "May I know--by whom?"
"Dr. Bryce," she answered. "I met him this morning. And I
think you ought to know. Only--it was in confidence." She
paused for a moment, looking at him, and her face grew
troubled. "I hate to suggest it," she continued, "but--will
you come with me to see him, and I'll ask him--things being as
they are--to tell you what he told me. I can't--without his
permission."
Ransford shook his head and frowned.
"I dislike it!" he said. "It's--it's putting ourselves in his
power, as it were. But--I'm not going to be left in the dark.
Put on your hat, then."
Bryce, ever since his coming to Wrychester, had occupied
rooms in an old house in Friary Lane, at the back of the
Close. He was comfortably lodged. Downstairs he had a
double sitting-room, extending from the front to the back
of the house; his front window looked out on one garden, his
back window on another. He had just finished lunch in the
front part of his room, and was looking out of his window,
wondering what to do with himself that afternoon, when he saw
Ransford and Mary Bewery approaching. He guessed the reason
of their visit at once, and went straight to the front door to
meet them, and without a word motioned them to follow him into
his own quarters. It was characteristic of him that he took
the first word--before either of his visitors could speak.
"I know why you've come," he said, as he closed the door and
glanced at Mary. "You either want my permission that you
should tell Dr. Ransford what I told you this morning, or, you
want me to tell him myself. Am I right?"
"I should be glad if you would tell him," replied Mary. "The
rumour you spoke of has reached him--he ought to know what you
can tell. I have respected your confidence, so far."
The two men looked at each other. And this time it was
Ransford who spoke first.
"It seems to me," he said, "that there is no great reason for
privacy. If rumours are flying about in Wrychester, there is
an end of privacy. Dick tells me they are saying at the
school that it is known that Braden called on me at my house
shortly before he was found dead. I know nothing whatever of
any such call! But--I left you in my surgery that morning.
Do you know if he came there?"
"Yes!" answered Bryce. "He did come. Soon after you'd gone
out."
"Why did you keep that secret?" demanded Ransford. "You could
have told it to the police--or to the Coroner--or to me. Why
didn't you?"
Before Bryce could answer, all three heard a sharp click of
the front garden gate, and looking round, saw Mitchington
coming up the walk.
"Here's one of the police, now," said Bryce calmly. "Probably
come to extract information. I would much rather he didn't
see you here--but I'd also like you to hear what I shall say
to him. Step inside there," he continued, drawing aside the
curtains which shut off the back room. "Don't stick at
trifles!--you don't know what may be afoot."
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