The Classic Mystery Collection - Arthur Conan Doyle [1492]
There the letter ended. Alban handed it back in silence.
Miss Jethro pointed to the words, "Mr. Alban Morris is even more devoted to Miss EmilyÕs service than I am."
"Is that true?" she asked.
"Quite true."
"I don't complain, Mr. Morris, of the hard things said of me in that letter; you are at liberty to suppose, if you like, that I deserve them. Attribute it to pride, or attribute it to reluctance to make needless demands on your time--I shall not attempt to defend myself. I leave you to decide whether the woman who has shown you that letter--having something important to say to you--is a person who is mean enough to say it under false pretenses."
"Tell me what I can do for you, Miss Jethro: and be assured, beforehand, that I don't doubt your sincerity."
"My purpose in coming here," she answered, "is to induce you to use your influence over Miss Emily Brown--"
"With what object?" Alban asked, interrupting her.
"My object is her own good. Some years since, I happened to become acquainted with a person who has attained some celebrity as a preacher. You have perhaps heard of Mr. Miles Mirabel?"
"I have heard of him."
"I have been in correspondence with him," Miss Jethro proceeded. "He tells me he has been introduced to a young lady, who was formerly one of Miss Ladd's pupils, and who is the daughter of Mr. Wyvil, of Monksmoor Park. He has called on Mr. Wyvil; and he has since received an invitation to stay at Mr. Wyvil's house. The day fixed for the visit is Monday, the fifth of next month."
Alban listened--at a loss to know what interest he was supposed to have in being made acquainted with Mr. Mirabel's engagements. Miss Jethro's next words enlightened him.
"You are perhaps aware," she resumed, "that Miss Emily Brown is Miss Wyvil's intimate friend. She will be one of the guests at Monksmoor Park. If there are any obstacles which you can place in her way--if there is any influence which you can exert, without exciting suspicion of your motive--prevent her, I entreat you, from accepting Miss Wyvil's invitation, until Mr. Mirabel's visit has come to an end."
"Is there anything against Mr. Mirabel?" he asked.
"I say nothing against him."
"Is Miss Emily acquainted with him?"
"No."
"Is he a person with whom it would be disagreeable to her to associate?"
"Quite the contrary."
"And yet you expect me to prevent them from meeting! Be reasonable, Miss Jethro."
"I can only be in earnest, Mr. Morris--more truly, more deeply in earnest than you can suppose. I declare to you that I am speaking in Miss Emily's interests. Do you still refuse to exert yourself for her sake?"
"I am spared the pain of refusal," Alban answered. "The time for interference has gone by. She is, at this moment, on her way to Monksmoor Park."
Miss Jethro attempted to rise--and dropped back into her chair. "Water!" she said faintly. After drinking from the glass to the last drop, she began to revive. Her little traveling-bag was on the floor at her side. She took out a railway guide, and tried to consult it. Her fingers trembled incessantly; she was unable to find the page to which she wished to refer. "Help me," she said, "I must leave this place--by the first train that passes."
"To see Emily?" Alban asked.
"Quite useless! You have said it yourself--the time for interference has gone by. Look at the guide."
"What place shall I look for?"
"Look for Vale Regis."
Alban found the place. The train was due