Melrose is not further molested in any way. Otherwise Mr. Melrose
acknowledges and will acknowledge no claim upon him whatever.
"I am to add that if Mrs. Melrose is in difficulties, it is entirely
owing to the dishonest rapacity of her family who have been living upon
her. Mr. Melrose is well acquainted with both the past and recent history
of Mr. Robert Smeath, who made a tool of Mrs. Melrose in the matter of a
disgraceful theft of a valuable bronze from Mr. Melrose's collection--"
"The Hermes!" cried Victoria. "She has never said one word to me about
it."
"Miss Melrose has been telling me the story," said Tatham, smiling at the
recollection. "By George, that's a rum little girl! She glories in it.
But she says her mother has been consumed with remorse ever since. Go
on."
"And if any attempt is made to blackmail or coerce Mr. Melrose, he will
be obliged, much against his will, to draw the attention of the Italian
police to certain matters relating to Mr. Smeath, of which he has the
evidence in his possession. He warns Mrs. Melrose that her father's
career cannot possibly bear examination.
"I regret that my reply cannot be more satisfactory to you.
"Believe me,
"Yours faithfully,
"CLAUDE FAVERSHAM."
Victoria had turned pale.
"How _abominable_! Why, her father is bedridden and dying!"
"So I told Faversham--like a fool. For it only--apparently--gives Melrose
a greater power of putting on the screw. Well, now look here--here's
something else.
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