Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/97

 left with cheerful jauntiness, betraying no hint of his suspicions.

Up at the Manor-house the table had been laid, by his instructions, not in the large dining-room, but in the much smaller, snug study, of which he was rather fond. Already one telegram had arrived, and was lying beside his plate. He tore open the envelope, and read—

"Amount requisitioned by Wilson for library on Thursday, February 28th, was five thousand pounds. This being approved by you, cheque for that amount posted to Wilson, Tuesday, March 1st, and deposited by him in Cutler's Bank, Manchester, on Thursday, March 3rd."

When he had partaken of dinner two other telegrams arrived, which showed one advantage of being the great man of the place, for the village telegraph office was kept open, and these messages dispatched to the Manor-house after the closing hours ordained by the British Government. The telegrams showed that certain official machinery had been set in motion, in response to requests made by the Earl of Stranleigh.

There was a discreet knock at the study door.

"Can you see Mrs. Wilson, my lord?"

"Certainly; show the lady in."