Chapter Ix Smelling Death : CHAPTER IX--SMELLING DEATH Adam Salton, though he talked little, did not let the grass grow under his feet in any matter which he had undertaken, or in which he was interested. He had agreed with Sir Nathaniel that they should not do anything with regard to the mystery of Lady Arabella's fear...
Chapter Ii The Caswalls Of Castra Regis : CHAPTER II--THE CASWALLS OF CASTRA REGIS Mr. Salton had all his life been an early riser, and necessarily an early waker. But early as he woke on the next morning--and although there was an excuse for not prolonging sleep in the constant whirr and rattle of the "donkey" engine winches of the gre...
Chapter I Adam Salton Arrives : CHAPTER I--ADAM SALTON ARRIVES Adam Salton sauntered into the Empire Club, Sydney, and found awaiting him a letter from his grand-uncle. He had first heard from the old gentleman less than a year before, when Richard Salton had claimed kinship, stating that he had been unable to write earlier...
Chapter Xv On The Track : CHAPTER XV--ON THE TRACK Those who had seen Edgar Caswall familiarly since his arrival, and had already estimated his cold-blooded nature at something of its true value, were surprised that he took so to heart the death of old Chester. The fact was that not one of them had guessed correctly at his...
Chapter Xiv Battle Renewed : CHAPTER XIV--BATTLE RENEWED The consequences of that meeting in the dusk of Diana's Grove were acute and far-reaching, and not only to the two engaged in it. From Oolanga, this might have been expected by anyone who knew the character of the tropical African savage. To such, there are two passions...
Chapter Iii Diana's Grove : CHAPTER III--DIANA'S GROVE Curiosity took Adam Salton out of bed in the early morning, but when he had dressed and gone downstairs; he found that, early as he was, Sir Nathaniel was ahead of him. The old gentleman was quite prepared for a long walk, and they started at once. Sir Nathaniel, without...
Chapter Vii Oolanga : CHAPTER VII--OOLANGA Mr. Salton had an appointment for six o'clock at Liverpool. When he had driven off, Sir Nathaniel took Adam by the arm. "May I come with you for a while to your study? I want to speak to you privately without your uncle knowing about it, or even what the subject is. You don't...
Chapter Xi Mesmer's Chest : CHAPTER XI--MESMER'S CHEST After a couple of weeks had passed, the kite seemed to give Edgar Caswall a new zest for life. He was never tired of looking at its movements. He had a comfortable armchair put out on the tower, wherein he sat sometimes all day long, watching as though the kite was a new...
Chapter Xxviii The Breaking Of The Storm : CHAPTER XXVIII--THE BREAKING OF THE STORM When Lady Arabella had crept away in her usual noiseless fashion, the two others remained for a while in their places on the turret roof: Caswall because he had nothing to say, Mimi because she had much to say and wished to put her thoughts in order...
Chapter Xxi Green Light : CHAPTER XXI--GREEN LIGHT When old Mr. Salton had retired for the night, Adam and Sir Nathaniel returned to the study. Things went with great regularity at Lesser Hill, so they knew that there would be no interruption to their talk. When their cigars were lighted, Sir Nathaniel began. "I hope, Adam...
Chapter Xxiv A Startling Proposition : CHAPTER XXIV--A STARTLING PROPOSITION The more Mimi thought over the late events, the more puzzled she was. What did it all mean--what could it mean, except that there was an error of fact somewhere. Could it be possible that some of them--all of them had been mistaken, that there had been no White...
Chapter Viii Survivals : CHAPTER VIII--SURVIVALS At breakfast Sir Nathaniel noticed that Adam was put out about something, but he said nothing. The lesson of silence is better remembered in age than in youth. When they were both in the study, where Sir Nathaniel followed him, Adam at once began to tell his compani...
Chapter X The Kite : CHAPTER X--THE KITE On the following day, a little after four o'clock, Adam set out for Mercy. He was home just as the clocks were striking six. He was pale and upset, but otherwise looked strong and alert. The old man summed up his appearance and manner thus: "Braced up for battle." "Now!" said...
Chapter Xxii At Close Quarters : CHAPTER XXII--AT CLOSE QUARTERS "She has diabolical cunning," said Sir Nathaniel. "Ever since you left, she has ranged along the Brow and wherever you were accustomed to frequent. I have not heard whence the knowledge of your movements came to her, nor have I been able to learn any data where...
Chapter Xx Metabolism : CHAPTER XX--METABOLISM "Am I looking grave?" asked Sir Nathaniel inconsequently when he re- entered the room. "You certainly are, sir." "We little thought when first we met that we should be drawn into such a vortex. Already we are mixed up in robbery, and probably murder, but--a thousand times...
Chapter Xix An Enemy In The Dark : CHAPTER XIX--AN ENEMY IN THE DARK Adam Salton went for a walk before returning to Lesser Hill; he felt that it might be well, not only to steady his nerves, shaken by the horrible scene, but to get his thoughts into some sort of order, so as to be ready to enter on the matter with Sir Nathaniel. He...
Chapter Iv The Lady Arabella March : CHAPTER IV--THE LADY ARABELLA MARCH "Now, there is no hurry, but so soon as you are both ready we shall start," Mr. Salton said when breakfast had begun. "I want to take you first to see a remarkable relic of Mercia, and then we'll go to Liverpool through what is called 'The Great Vale of Cheshire...
Chapter Vi Hawk And Pigeon : CHAPTER VI--HAWK AND PIGEON At breakfast-time next morning Sir Nathaniel and Mr. Salton were seated when Adam came hurriedly into the room. "Any news?" asked his uncle mechanically. "Four." "Four what?" asked Sir Nathaniel. "Snakes," said Adam, helping himself to a grilled kidney. "Four snakes. I...
Chapter Xxvii On The Turret Roof : CHAPTER XXVII--ON THE TURRET ROOF The storm which was coming was already making itself manifest, not only in the wide scope of nature, but in the hearts and natures of human beings. Electrical disturbance in the sky and the air is reproduced in animals of all kinds, and particularly in the highest...
Chapter Xii The Chest Opened : CHAPTER XII--THE CHEST OPENED Left alone in the turret-room, Edgar Caswall carefully locked the door and hung a handkerchief over the keyhole. Next, he inspected the windows, and saw that they were not overlooked from any angle of the main building. Then he carefully examined the trunk, going over...
Chapter Xxv The Last Battle : CHAPTER XXV--THE LAST BATTLE Lady Arabella had instructed her solicitors to hurry on with the conveyance of Diana's Grove, so no time was lost in letting Adam Salton have formal possession of the estate. After his interview with Sir Nathaniel, he had taken steps to begin putting his pl...
Chapter Xvii The Mystery Of the Grove : CHAPTER XVII--THE MYSTERY OF "THE GROVE" That afternoon Adam decided to do a little exploring. As he passed through the wood outside the gate of Diana's Grove, he thought he saw the African's face for an instant. So he went deeper into the undergrowth, and followed along parallel to the avenue...
Chapter Xiii Oolanga's Hallucinations : CHAPTER XIII--OOLANGA'S HALLUCINATIONS During the last few days Lady Arabella had been getting exceedingly impatient. Her debts, always pressing, were growing to an embarrassing amount. The only hope she had of comfort in life was a good marriage; but the good marriage on which she had fixed her...
Chapter Xviii Exit Oolanga : CHAPTER XVIII--EXIT OOLANGA The woman turned sharply as Adam touched her shoulder. "One moment whilst we are alone. You had better not trust that nigger!" he whispered. Her answer was crisp and concise: "I don't." "Forewarned is forearmed. Tell me if you will--it is for your own protection. Why do...
Chapter V The White Worm : CHAPTER V--THE WHITE WORM Mr. Salton introduced Adam to Mr. Watford and his grand-daughters, and they all moved on together. Of course neighbours in the position of the Watfords knew all about Adam Salton, his relationship, circumstances, and prospects. So it would have been strange indeed if both...
Chapter Xvi A Visit Of Sympathy : CHAPTER XVI--A VISIT OF SYMPATHY Caswall was genuinely surprised when he saw Lady Arabella, though he need not have been, after what had already occurred in the same way. The look of surprise on his face was so much greater than Lady Arabella had expected--though she thought she was prepared...
Chapter Xxiii In The Enemy's House : CHAPTER XXIII--IN THE ENEMY'S HOUSE Sir Nathaniel was in the library next morning, after breakfast, when Adam came to him carrying a letter. "Her ladyship doesn't lose any time. She has begun work already!" Sir Nathaniel, who was writing at a table near the window, looked up. "What is it?" said he...
Chapter Xxvi Face To Face : CHAPTER XXVI--FACE TO FACE Mimi was greatly distressed when she saw her cousin lying prone. She had a few times in her life seen Lilla on the verge of fainting, but never senseless; and now she was frightened. She threw herself on her knees beside Lilla, and tried, by rubbing her hands and other...