CHAPTER XV--ON THE TRACK


Those who had seen Edgar Caswall familiarly since his arrival, and had
already estimated his cold-blooded nature at something of its true value,
were surprised that he took so to heart the death of old Chester. The
fact was that not one of them had guessed correctly at his character.
They thought, naturally enough, that the concern which he felt was that
of a master for a faithful old servant of his family. They little
thought that it was merely the selfish expression of his disappointment,
that he had thus lost the only remaining clue to an interesting piece of
family history--one which was now and would be for ever wrapped in
mystery. Caswall knew enough about the life of his ancestor in Paris to
wish to know more fully and more thoroughly all that had been. The
period covered by that ancestor's life in Paris was one inviting every
form of curiosity.

Lady Arabella, who had her own game to play, saw in the _metier_ of
sympathetic friend, a series of meetings with the man she wanted to
secure. She made the first use of the opportunity the day after old
Chester's death; indeed, as soon as the news had filtered in through the
back door of Diana's Grove. At that meeting, she played her part so well
that even Caswall's cold nature was impressed.

Oolanga was the only one who did not credit her with at least some sense
of fine feeling in the matter. In emotional, as in other matters,
Oolanga was distinctly a utilitarian, and as he could not understand
anyone feeling grief except for his own suffering, pain, or for the loss