Gammon grew perplexed in mind and shadowed in countenance.  Of a truth Polly Sparkes had not once entered his mind since he saw her yesterday.  But he must see her again, and that to-night.  Whew!  He would now have given a substantial sum to deprive Polly of the knowledge he had so recklessly confided to her.

“You are impulsive, my friend,” remarked the other, quietly amused.  “Impulsive and lacking in foresight.”

“And you—­Never mind; I won’t say it.  Still, you used to be a puzzle to me, Greenacre; now I feel as if I was beginning to understand you a bit.”

The man of foresight—­he was remarkably well-dressed this evening—­watched the smoke from his cigarette and smiled.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE TRAVELLER’S FICKLENESS AND FRAUD

In due course a coroner and his jury sat on the body of Lord Polperro; in the order of things this inquest was publicly reported.

Readers of newspapers learnt that the eccentric nobleman, though in a weak state of health, had the indiscretion to mingle with a crowd on New Year’s Eve; that he either accidentally fell or was knocked down by some person unknown in the rough-and-tumble of the hour; in short, that his death might fairly be accounted for by misadventure.  The results of the autopsy were not made known in detail, but a professional whisper went about that among the causes contributory to Lord Polperro’s death were congestion of the lungs, softening of the brain, chronic inflammation of the stomach, drunkard’s liver, and Bright’s disease of the kidneys.

The unprofessional persons who came forward were Mr. Gammon, Lord Polperro’s housekeeper, and Miss Trefoyle.  The name of Greenacre was not so much as mentioned; the existence of a lady named Mrs. Clover remained unknown to court and public.

On the following day Mr. Gammon had a private interview with Miss Trefoyle.  He was aware that this privilege had already been sought by and granted to Mr. Greenacre, and as his one great object was to avert shame and sorrow from his friends at Battersea Park, Gammon acquitted himself with entire discretion; that is to say, he did not allow Miss Trefoyle to suspect that there had been anything between him and her brother except a sort of boon companionship.  In behaving thus he knew that he was acting as Mrs. Clover most earnestly desired.  Not many hours before he had discharged what he felt to be his duty, had made known to Mrs. Clover the facts of her position, and had heard the unforgettable accent of her voice as she entreated him to keep this secret.  That there might be no doubt as to the truth of Greenacre’s assertions he had accompanied that gentleman to Somerset House, and had perused certain entries in the registers of marriage and of death indicated to him by his friend’s forefinger; clearly then, if he and Greenacre kept silence, it would never become known, even to Polperro’s kinsfolk, that his lordship had been guilty of bigamy.