The Intrepid Miss Haydon by Alice Chetwynd Ley

Author:Alice Chetwynd Ley [Chetwynd Ley, Alice]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2020-10-22T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Sir Richard’s reproof to Laurence had not altogether fallen on deaf ears, so that young man decided that whenever possible in future he would try to exclude his sister from his investigations. He still considered that something might be learned in the nearby villages, and set off for Eastdean, but this time resolved to proceed more warily. He had not previously visited the village, the first sight of which affected him in much the same way as it had Madeleine. It was difficult to connect such a pretty, seemingly sleepy place with the dark doings of smugglers. He was reluctant to abandon his theories without putting them to the test, however; and, having pondered for a moment, he strolled casually into the Tiger Inn. He ordered a tankard of ale and seated himself on one of the settles beside an aged countryman with blackened teeth and a lined, weather-beaten face.

“Morning, gaffer,” said Laurence affably.

The old man returned the greeting, then quickly drained his pot of ale, with an eye to the main chance.

“Allow me,” said Laurence handsomely. “Landlord, fill up, will you?”

The innkeeper, a large, red-faced man in shirt sleeves, obliged, at the same time subjecting his stylish customer to a searching scrutiny. Strangers, especially those of the Quality, were rare in Eastdean.

Having pledged the old man’s health, which privately he considered none too robust, Laurence proceeded to engage him in casual conversation.

His companion seemed ready enough to talk, but his endless stream of chatter conveyed no useful information. Either the man was obtuse, or else he was not to be drawn on the subject of his neighbours’ activities.

After a while, Laurence gave up the attempt as hopeless. He rose to leave, setting down the price of another drink beside his unrewarding informant.

Reluctant to return home without having achieved anything, he decided to take a look at Grenville’s house. Following Madeleine’s description, he soon came to the drive, but did not turn along it, as this was decidedly no social call. What he had in mind was to try and discover some kind of rendezvous for the three of them on occasions when Madeleine might not be able to come to Friston House.

To either side of the drive a boundary wall enclosed the grounds of the house, with a narrow lane running alongside. The wall curved round to enclose the ground at the rear of the house, and he came to a back entrance in the shape of a battered wooden door which looked as though it had not been used for years.

He tried the door, delighted when he found it gave way to his touch. Trees were planted at intervals inside the wall; after carefully closing the door behind him, he took cover behind one of these and peered out across the grounds.

These were not extensive; no gardeners were at work in them, though it was evident that much needed doing. A wilderness of overgrown shrubs and unkempt grass stretched from the trees across to a small formal garden enclosed by low hedges.

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