"But let me go on: Wickham left his
daughter, her mother being dead, in Ashton's guardianship. She was then
about six years of age. Ashton sent her to school here in England. About
twelve or thirteen years later, he came home and settled in Markendale
Square. He brought Avice Wickham to live with him. He handed over to her
a considerable sum, which, he said, her father had left in his hands for
her. And then, secretly, Ashton went down to Marketstoke and evidently
made certain inquiries and investigations. Whether he was going to reveal
the truth as to what I have just told you, we don't know--probably he
was. But he was murdered, and we all know when and where. And I say he
was murdered for the sake of these very papers which we now know were
produced to Methley and Woodlesford by this claimant. Now, then--"
Mr. Carless suddenly bent forward.
"A moment, Pawle!" he said. "If this man Wickham really was the lost
Lord Marketstoke, and he's dead, and he left a daughter, and the
daughter's alive--"
"Well?" demanded Mr. Pawle. "Well?"
"Why, then, of course, that daughter," said Mr. Carless slowly, "that
daughter is--"
A clerk opened the door and glanced at his employer.
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