Cave referred this morning as having been written by the Countess of
Ellingham to Lord Marketstoke when a boy at school, was found by Mr.
Viner and myself in Ashton's house, and that the locket which he also
mentioned is in existence--facts which Mr. Cave will doubtless be glad to
know of. But," added the old lawyer, shaking his head, "what does all
this imply? That Ashton, of whom up to now we have heard nothing but
good, was not only a thief, but an impostor who was endeavouring, or
meant to endeavour, to palm off a bogus claimant on people, who, but for
Mr. Cave's appearance and evidence, would certainly have been deceived!
It is most amazing."
"Don't forget," said Viner quietly, "that Mr. Perkwite says that Ashton
showed him at Marseilles a certain marriage certificate and a birth
certificate."
Mr. Carless started.
"Ah!" he exclaimed. "I had forgotten that. Um! However, don't let us
forget, just now, that our main object in meeting was to do something
towards tracking these people who gave Mr. Cave these papers. Now, Mr.
Cave, you got no information out of the woman?"
"None!" answered Mr.
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