"
"Going to live at the Hall, Mrs. Conway! But how is that possible
under the circumstances? You are, I should say, the last person whom
the Miss Penfolds would at present invite to take up her residence
there."
"I agree with you, if they had any idea of my identity; but that is
just what I intend they shall not have. My plan is to go there in the
capacity of a servant. Once there I shall examine, as I say, every
square inch of the rooms and places where this hiding-place is likely
to exist. Every knob, knot, or inequality of any kind in the wood-work
and stone-work shall be pressed, pulled, and twisted, until I find it.
I am aware that the task may occupy months or even years, for, of
course, my opportunities will be limited. Still, whether months or
years, I intend to undertake it and to carry it through, if my life is
spared until I have had time thoroughly and completely to carry it
out."
Mr. Tallboys was silent from sheer astonishment.
"Do you realty mean that you think of going there as a servant, Mrs.
Conway?"
"Certainly I do," she replied calmly. "I suppose the work will be no
harder for me than for other women; and whereas they do it for some
ten or twelve pounds a year I shall do it for a fortune. I see not the
slightest difficulty or objection in that part of the business. I
shall, of course, let my house at Dover, making arrangements for my
son's letters there being forwarded, and for my letters to him being
posted in Dover.
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