Page:Fletcher - The Mortover Grange Affair.pdf/133



Unemotional though he was by nature, and used to sudden surprises by reason of his professional work, Wedgwood experienced a sense of unusual astonishment on hearing this piece of news. He had confidently counted on finding Avice Mortover at her post; the announcement just made took him unawares and threw him off his well-mapped course.

"Perhaps she's ill?" he suggested, lamely.

"It was her duty to send me word in that case," replied the manageress. "I've had no word. She was well enough when she left here night before last." She paused, scrutinizing Wedgwood more closely. "Are you some relative?" she asked.

"No," answered Wedgwood. "I want to see her on business. Important business—legal business. Relating to her private affairs."

"Well, you're not the first to come enquiring for her," said the manageress. "There's been a young gentleman here asking after her twice to-day, and apparently very anxious to find her. I don't know who he is, but one of the other