The Face of the Abbot | Page 5

for me to
investigate the matter myself. She spoke in the most sensible way, and
said finally that she would not leave me until I had promised to go to
Portugal to visit the castle, and in my own person to unearth the
mystery. I promised her and felt she was right. I am keeping my word."
When Helen had done speaking I remained silent. I could scarcely
describe the strange sensation which visited me. Was it possible that
the fear which I had seen so strongly depicted on De Castro's face was
caused by Madame Sara? Was the mystery in the old Portuguese castle
also connected with this terrible woman? If so, what dreadful
revelations might not be before us! Helen was not the first innocent girl
who believed in Madame, and not the first whose life was threatened.
"Why don't you speak, Mr. Druce?" she asked me at last. "What are
you thinking of?"

"I would rather not say what I am thinking of," I answered; "but I am
very glad of one thing, and that is that I am going with you."
"You are my kindest, best friend," she said; "and now I will tell you
one thing more. Madame said that the fact of your being one of the
party put all danger out of the case so far as I was concerned, for she
knew you to be the cleverest man she ever met."
"Ah!" I replied, slowly, "there is a cleverer man than I, and his name is
Eric Vandeleur. Did she happen to speak of him?"
"No. Who is he? I have never heard of him."
"I will tell you some day," I replied, " but not now."
I rose, bade her a hasty good-bye, and went straight to Vandeleur's
rooms.
Whatever happened, I had made up my mind to consult him in the
matter. He was out when I called, but I left a note, and he came round
to my place in the course of the evening.
In less than a quarter of an hour I put him in possession of all the facts.
He received my story in silence.
"Well!" I cried at last. "What do you think?"
"There is but one conclusion, Druce," was his reply. "There is a motive
in this mystery--method in this madness. Madame is mixed up in it.
That being the case, anything supernatural is out of the question. I am
sorry Miss Sherwood is going to Lisbon, but the fact that you are going
too may be her protection. Beyond doubt her life is in danger. Well,
you must do your best, and forewarned is forearmed. I should like to go
with you, but I cannot. Perhaps I may do more good here watching the
arch-fiend who is pulling the strings."
De Castro took the information quietly that his niece was about to
accompany us.

"Women are strange creatures," he said. "Who would suppose that a
delicate girl would subject herself to the nervous terrors she must
undergo in the castle? Well, let her come--it may be best, and my friend,
the lady about whom I spoke to you, recommended it."
"You mean Madame Sara?" I said.
"Ah!" he answered, with a start. "Do you know her?"
"Slightly," I replied, in a guarded tone. Then I turned the conversation.
Our journey took place without adventure, and when we got to Lisbon
we put up at Durrand's Hotel.
On the afternoon of that same day we went to interview Manuel Sousa,
the lawyer who had charge of Mr. Sherwood's affairs. His office was in
the Rue do Rio Janeiro. He was a short, bright-eyed little man, having
every appearance of honesty and ability. He received us affably and
looked with much interest at Helen Sherwood, whose calm, brave face
and English appearance impressed him favourably.
"So you have come all this long way, Senhora," he said, "to investigate
the mystery of your poor father's death? Be assured I will do everything
in my power to help you. And now you would all like to see the
documents and papers. Here they are at your service."
He opened a tin box and lifted out a pile of papers. Helen went up to
one of the windows.
"I don't understand Portuguese," she said. "You will examine them for
me, won't you Uncle Petro, and you also, Mr. Druce?"
I had a sufficient knowledge of Portuguese to be able to read the will,
and I quickly discovered that De Castro's account of it was quite
correct.
"Is it your intention to go to Castello Mondego?" asked the lawyer,
when our interview was coming to an end.

"I can answer for myself that I intend to go," I replied.
"It will give me great pleasure to take Mr. Druce to that romantic