human
It is hard to say what I mean. The Rector sipped his port meditatively.
gpt
Marlow was always a mystery to me. Undeniably a millionaire and a gentleman, Alan, and while here a man of clean life. And I have met people in London --the worthy parson dabbled a little in shares--
human
Ah! Warrender came with Marlow to Heathton.
gpt
Yes, but there was no mystery about that. Warrender told me that he had met Marlow at Kingston, Jamaica. Afterwards the doctor settled in New Orleans. There he met his wife, who was on the stage. He did not do very well, so Mrs. Warrender urged him to return to England. He did so, and met Marlow by chance in London, where they renewed their acquaintance. Sorry to see that Warrender was so unfortunate, Marlow brought him down here, where he did very well.
human
I don't think he did well enough to have supplied Mrs. Warrender with her diamonds, sir.
gpt
Alan, don't speak evil of the dead. She did not get the diamonds from Marlow, but legitimately, my dear boy, from her husband.
human
And where did he get them? His practice must have brought him in little enough.
gpt
No, I won't say that. The fact, I think, is that there was some understanding between the two men, and that Marlow gave Warrender money.
human
He must have given him a good deal, then. Those jewels represent a lot. Seems like a kind of blackmail, sir.
gpt
On that point, Alan, I would prefer not to give an opinion.
human
And Warrender helped to steal the body of his patron, mused Alan.
gpt
Strange. But about this idea of a false name.
human
Well, it was at dinner one evening. The ladies had retired, and I was alone with Marlow and Warrender, talking over our wine, just as you and I might be now, Alan. The doctor had taken a little too much, and on one occasion he addressed the other man as Beauchamp. Marlow flashed one fierce glance at him, which sobered him at once. I made no remark on the incident at the time, but it stuck in my memory.
gpt
Then you think that Mr. Marlow was called Beauchamp in Jamaica?
human
Warrender's slip gave me that impression,
gpt
How very strange! murmured Alan, toying with his glass.
human
Do you know the will? Of course, I am trustee.
gpt
Sophy's trustee--why, yes. All the money goes to her, doesn't it?
human
Most of it. There are legacies to myself, Joe Brill, and Miss Parsh. Sophy gets the rest, on conditions.
gpt
What conditions?
human
One is that she marries me, the other that she pays two thousand a year to a man called Herbert Beauchamp.
gpt
Bless me, the same name!
human
It would appear so. Perhaps this Herbert Beauchamp is a relative of the so-called Marlow. The money is to be paid into the Occidental Bank of London for transmission to him.
gpt
Where is he?
human
I don't know. But now that you have told me so much, I shall take the first instalment myself to the Occidental Bank and make inquiries about the man. The manager may be able in some measure to account for all this.
gpt
I hope so, I hope so, cried the bewildered Rector,
human
Meanwhile, went on Alan calmly,
gpt
I shall see Mrs. Warrender. She may know something that will be useful to us.
human
I don't think so, the Rector said doubtfully.
gpt
Bless me, why should she? It was long afterwards that she met the doctor in New Orleans.
human
Well, he might have told her about Marlow. At all events, I'll see her. You know, added Alan, curling his lip,
gpt
Mrs. Warrender is fond of money, and amenable to bribery.