The sound of metallic blows drew his attention. Bourne and Meredith were using a hammer and chisel on the deedbox. It was not so deeply rusted as they had thought and did not seem to have been locked. Before long the lid had been wrenched off far enough for them to see what appeared to be brown parchment inside. At length Bourne signed to Meredith to cease his efforts. He picked up the box from the wet gravel and placed it on the bonnet of the Volvo. Inserting his hand he gently withdrew a sheaf of papers from the box. While the others crowded around him he examined his find.

Their first impression that there was parchment was a false one. The papers in the sheaf were quarto in size. The whole sheaf had been folded once before placing it in the box and it was the two outer sheets that had been scorched brown by the heat and rendered brittle. Probably only its submersion in water had saved the box’s contents from being roasted out of existence. Very delicately Bourne separated the inner sheets from the scorched pair and unfolded them. Paul and the others saw that they were covered with neat handwriting, the ink being scarcely faded.

Bourne looked up.

‘I suggest, since it’s still quite chilly, that we get into the Volvo. And then I think the best thing I can do it to read it out to you all. All right?’

They nodded. They climbed in, Meredith taking the driver’s seat, Paul beside him. The three girls took the bench seat while Bourne seated himself on some blankets behind the bench seat, the box placed beside him. As he finished each sheet of paper he took it from the sheaf and placed it down gently on one of the folded blankets. His voice was steady and clear and his listeners, apart from occasional intakes of breath, heard him to the end in silence.

* * * * *

Ardvreck House

28 August 1895

Sooner or later this house’s days will be ended and it will be demolished. For no house stands for ever. And when this happens, what I have done will be discovered. It could be that at some future date repairs to the cellars will be required, or extensions will be made. There are a number of possibilities that may, if any of them occurs, cause the house’s secret to be revealed long before its life is over.

However it happens I want no one else to be blamed for what I have done. That is why I have written this account – not to justify my actions. I know that there are many who would condemn me and perhaps they are right. But I have no regrets. I have done many things for which I feel regret but not this.