human
Hah, hah! Rather a joke, what? laughed Twombley.
gpt
Never had seen her, I suppose; no one ever did, you know, except out driving.
human
It was either a silly joke or my memory is in a bad shape, said Cyril.
gpt
Luckily it is a matter of no consequence. What is of vital importance, however, he continued, turning to the detective,
human
It is unfortunate, replied the detective,
gpt
What is her description, by the way?
human
Here it is, my lord,
gpt
Height, 5 feet 3; weight, about 9 stone 2; hair, very fair, inclined to be wavy; nose, straight; mouth, small; eyes, blue; face, oval, read Cyril.
human
Well, I suppose that will have to do, but of course that description would fit half the women in England.
gpt
That's the trouble, my lord.
human
Mr. Twombley, when you said just now that no one knew her, did you mean that literally?
gpt
Nobody in the county did; I'm sure of that.
human
And you, Mr. James? Is it possible that even you never saw her?
gpt
I have never spoken to her.
human
Then so far as you know, the only person outside the castle she could communicate with was the doctor. What sort of a man is he?
gpt
What doctor are you speaking of?
human
Why, the doctor who had charge of her case, of course,
gpt
I never heard of her having a doctor.
human
Do you mean to say that Wilmersley kept her in confinement without orders from a physician?
gpt
No, I suppose not. Of course not. There must have been some one,
human
You never, however, inquired by what authority he kept his wife shut up?
gpt
I never insulted Lord Wilmersley by questioning the wisdom of his conduct or the integrity of his motives, and I repeat that there was undoubtedly some physician in attendance on Lady Wilmersley, only I do not happen to know who he is.
human
Well, I must clear this matter up at once. Please ring the bell, Judson.
gpt
Who was her ladyship's physician?
human
My lady never 'ad one; leastways not till yesterday.
gpt
Yesterday?
human
Yes, my lord, yesterday afternoon two gentlemen drove up in a fly and one of them says 'is name is Dr. Brown and that 'e was expected, and 'is lordship said as how I was to show them in here, and so I did.
gpt
You think they came to see her ladyship?
human
Yes, my lord, and at dinner her ladyship seemed very much upset. She didn't eat a morsel, though 'is lordship urged 'er ever so.
gpt
But why should a doctor's visit upset her ladyship?
human
I can't say, my lord.
gpt
Nonsense, you've some idea in your head. Out with it!
human
Well, my lord, me and Charles, we thought as she was afraid they were going to lock 'er up.
gpt
Ah! If they had done so long ago!
human
But, sir, her ladyship wasn't crazy! They all say so, but it isn't true. Me and Charles 'ave watched 'er at table day in and day out and we're willing to swear that she isn't any more crazy than--than me! Please excuse the liberty, but I never thought 'er ladyship was treated right, I never did.
gpt
Why, you told me yourself that his lordship was devoted to her.
human
So 'e was, my lord, so 'e was.
gpt
If her ladyship is not insane, why do you think his lordship kept her a prisoner here?
human
Well, my lord, some people 'ave thought that it was jealousy as made him do it.
gpt
That, exclaimed the vicar,
human
So jealousy was the motive generally ascribed to my cousin's treatment of his wife?
gpt
Not generally, far from it; but I regret to say that there are people who professed to believe it.
human
Did her ladyship have a nurse?
gpt
No, my lord, only a maid.
human
Mrs. Valdriguez is a very respectable person, my lord.
gpt
Mrs. What?
human
Mrs. Valdriguez.
gpt
What a queer name.
human
Perhaps, my lord, I don't pronounce it just right. Mrs. Valdriguez is Spanish.
gpt
Indeed!
human
Yes, my lord, she was here first in the time of Lord Wilmersley's mother, and 'is lordship brought 'er back again when he returned from 'is 'oneymoon. Lady Wilmersley never left these rooms without 'aving either 'is lordship, Mustapha, or Valdriguez with 'er.
gpt
Very good, Douglas, you can go now.
human
A pretty state of things! cried Cyril when the door closed behind the butler.
gpt
Here in civilised England a poor young creature is kept in confinement with a Spanish woman and a Turk to watch over her, and no one thinks of demanding an investigation! It's monstrous!
human
My boy, you're right. Never liked the man myself--confess it now--but I didn't know anything against him. Pretty difficult to interfere, what? Never occurred to me to do so.
gpt
I am deeply pained by your attitude to your unfortunate cousin, who paid with his life for his devotion to an afflicted woman. I feel it my duty to say that your suspicions are unworthy of you. I must go now; I have some parochial duties to attend to.
human
It's getting late, I see. Must be off too. Can't be late for dinner--wife, you know. Why don't you come with me--gloomy here--delighted to put you up. Do come,
gpt
Thanks awfully, not to-night. I'm dead beat. It's awfully good of you to suggest it, though.
human
Not at all; sorry you won't come. See you at the inquest,