WYLDER'S BAJVI).
109
"No," said Mr. Larkin again, "I'm not suspicious
— naturally too much the reverse, I fear; hut it certainly
does look odd. Did he tell the family at Brandon?"
"Certainly not, that I heard. He may have mention-
ed it. But I started with him, and we walked together,
under the impression that he was going, as usual, to the
inn, the — what d'ye call it ? — " Brandon Arms;" and
it was a sudden thought — now I think of it — for he took
no luggage, though to be sure-I dare say he has got clothes
and things in town."
"And when does he return?"
"In a day or two at furthest," he said.
"I wonder what they'll think of it at Brandon? " said
the attorney, with a cavernous grin of sly enquiry at hia
companion, which, recollecting his character, he softened
into a sad sort of smile, and added, "No harm, I dare say;
and, after all, you know, why should there — any man
may have business; and, indeed, it is very likely, after all,
that he really went about the jewels.
"By-the-by," said Lake, rather briskly for him, rum-
maging his pockets, "I'm glad I remembered he gave me
a little note to Chelford. Are any of your people going
to Brandon this morning?"
"I'll send it," said the lawyer, eyeing the little pen-
cilled note wistfully, which Lake presented between two
fingers.
"Don't you think it had best go at once ? — there may
be something requiring an answer, and your post leaves,
doesn't it, at twelve?"
"Oh! an answer, is there?" said Mr. Larkin, draw-
ing it from his pocket, and looking at it again with a per-
ceptible curiosity.
"I really can't say, not having read it, but there may,"
eaid Captain Lake, who was now and then a little imperii-