"Yes," said Mr. Thaxton, and his brow clouded slightly. "Captain Murpoint is invaluable; he is extremely clever, and seems to obtain implicit obedience here."
At that moment Captain Murpoint came on to the lawn.
"Good-morning," said Mr. Thaxton. "We were talking of you, captain. Mr. Boner was suggesting that it would be as well to attempt a little diversion for Miss Mildmay."
"With all my heart," said the captain, gravely.
"In the shape of business," continued Mr. Thaxton. "You have never informed me yet why my presence was wanted at the Park."
The captain's face flushed slightly. He had been waiting for this moment, and now it had come he braved it boldly.
"I wrote to you at the request of Miss Mildmay," he said. "It was a matter connected with a locket of her father's--mine it would have been had he lived longer. But let us come in; we will find the ladies, and go into it--that is, if Violet is well enough. You, Mr. Boner, must come and ascertain that for us."
So, with his usual artfulness, he secured another witness for the business which he had on hand.
The three gentlemen went into the drawing-room, where Mrs. Mildmay and Violet were seated, the elder lady knitting, the younger, not reading, with a book open before her.
Mr. Thaxton crossed over to her, and, seating himself by her side, said, in the gentle voice with which he always addressed her:
"My dear young lady, do you feel well enough to go into business this morning?"
"I am quite well," she said. "I always am. It is only your kind heart which fears otherwise. What business is it?"
"The business upon which you sent for me," said Mr. Thaxton.
Violet started slightly, and a dim look of pain shadowed her eyes.
"I forgot," she said. "I forget so many things." Then she looked over at the captain. "Captain Murpoint sent for you; he will tell you."
The captain, thus adjured, crossed over to them, and explained.
"And this locket," he said; "you are anxious to get, my dear?"
"Yes," said Violet, sadly. "I would like to have it. I had forgotten it. Yes, I would like to have it; I must have it."
"Then," said Mr. Thaxton, cheerily, hoping to rouse her to something like interest, "suppose we venture boldly into the ghost's quarters, and find it? What do you say, Mr. Boner? Are you courageous enough to accompany us?"