Priceless things in it! And close by, an excellent office,
with room for two clerks--one already at work--piles of blue-books,
pamphlets, heavens knows what! And they are fitting up a telephone
between Threlfall and some new rooms that he has taken for estate
business in Pengarth."
"A _telephone_--at Threlfall!" murmured Andover.
"And Undershaw tells me that Melrose has taken the most extraordinary
fancy for the young man. Everything is done for him. He may have anything
he likes. And, rumour says--an enormous salary!"
"Sounds like an adventurer," grumbled Barton, "probably is."
Tatham broke in. "No, you're wrong there, Colonel. I knew Faversham at
college. He's a very decent fellow--and awfully clever."
Yet, somehow, his praise stuck in his throat.
"Well, of course," said Andover with a shrug, "if he _is_ a decent
fellow, as Tatham says, he won't stay long. Do you imagine Melrose is
going to change his spots?--not he!"
"Somebody must really go and talk to this chap," said Barton gloomily. "I
believe Melrose will lose us the next election up here. You really can't
expect people to vote for Tories, if Tories are that sort."
The talk flowed on. But Tatham had ceased to listen. For some little time
there had been no voices or steps in the garden outside. They had melted
into the wood beyond. But now they had returned. He perceived a white
figure against a distant background of clipped yew.
Rising joyously he threw down his cigarette.
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