The will was made in the presence of a solicitor in whose opinion the deceased was undoubtedly sane and in possession of his senses. Nor do I think we can prove undue influence. Mr Savage did not disinherit anyone near and dear to him – his only relatives were distant cousins whom he seldom saw. They actually lived in Australia, I believe.’ Mr Spragge paused.
‘Mr Carstairs’ contention was that such a will was completely uncharacteristic of Mr Savage. Mr Savage had no liking for organized charities and had always held very strong opinions as to money passing by blood relationship. However, Mr Carstairs had no documentary proof of these assertions and, as I pointed out to him, men change their opinions. In contesting such a will, there would be the charitable organizations to deal with as well as Mrs Templeton. Also, the will had been admitted to probate.’ ‘There was no fuss made at the time?’ asked Frankie.
‘As I say, Mr Savage’s relatives were not living in this country and they knew very little about the matter. It was Mr Carstairs who took the matter up. He returned from a trip into the interior of Africa, gradually leamt the details of this business and came over to this country to see if something could be done about it. I was forced to tell him that in my view there was nothing to be done. Possession is nine points of the law, and Mrs Templeton was in possession. Moreover, she had left the country and gone, I believe, to the South of France to live. She refused to enter into any communication on the matter. I suggested getting counsel’s opinion but Mr Carstairs decided that it was not necessary and took my view that there was nothing to be done – or, alternatively, that whatever might have been done at the time, and in my opinion that was exceedingly doubtful, it was now too late to do it.’ ‘I see,’ said Frankie. ‘And nobody knows anything about this Mrs Templeton?’ Mr Spragge shook his head and pursed his lips.
‘A man like Mr Savage, with his knowledge of life, ought to have been less easily taken in – but -‘ Mr Spragge shook his head sadly as a vision of innumerable clients who ought to have known better and who had come to him to have their cases settled out of court passed across his mind.
Frankie rose.
Then are extraordinary creatures,’ she said.
She held out a hand.
‘Goodbye, Mr Spragge,’ she said. ‘You’ve been wonderful simply wonderful. I feel too ashamed.’ ‘You Bright Young People must be more careful,’ said Mr Spragge, shaking his head at her.
‘You’ve been an angel,’ said Frankie.
She squeezed his hand fervently and departed.
Mr Spragge sat down again before his table.
He was thinking.
‘The young Duke of ‘ There were only two dukes who could be so described.
Which was it?
He picked up a Peerage.
CHAPTER 26 Nocturnal Adventure
The inexplicable absence of Moira worried Bobby more than he cared to admit. He told himself repeatedly that it was absurd to jump to conclusions – that it was fantastic to imagine that Moira had been done away with in a house full of possible witnesses – that there was probably some perfectly simple explanation and that at the worst she could only be a prisoner in the Grange.
That she had left Staverley of her own free will Bobby did not for one minute believe. He was convinced that she would never have gone off like that without sending him a word of explanation. Besides, she had stated emphatically that she had nowhere to go.
No, the sinister Dr Nicholson was at the bottom of this.
Somehow or other he must have become aware of Moira’s -activities and this was his counter move. Somewhere within the sinister walls of the Grange Moira was a prisoner, unable to communicate with the outside world.
But she might not remain a prisoner long. Bobby believed implicitly every word Moira had uttered. Her fears were neither the result of a vivid imagination not yet of nerves. They were simple stark truth.
Nicholson meant to get rid of his wife. Several times his plans had miscarried. Now, by communicating her fears to others, she had forced his hand. He must act quickly or not at all. Would he have the nerve to act?