“Very well,” Major Hartley said. “But what I have to say will come as somewhat of a shock, I am afraid.”

“What can it be?” Lord Lynche asked. “Has one of my men been caught poaching? Or has someone run off with the estate funds?”

“No, nothing like that,” Major Hartley answered. “But we have information given to us that leads us to believe that you are harbouring under this roof someone who has been wanted by the Police for some years.”

“Indeed?” Lord Lynche said. “What makes you think that?”

Major Hartley frowned.

“Come, my Lord. There is no need to mince words. You know as well as I do who I am referring to.”

“I am afraid that what you are saying is quite incomprehensible to me,” Lord Lynche replied.

He spoke lightly and yet, watching him, Carina knew that there was an undercurrent of anxiety in his voice.

‘He is afraid,’ she thought.

“A little over a year ago,” Major Hartley said, “a warrant was issued for the arrest of Giles Lynche, wanted for murder. You informed us at the time, my Lord, that the person in question was dead. You had proof that he had died abroad. I believe that was incorrect. I am told that he returned here and is hidden in this Castle.”

“May I ask who gave you this interesting information?”

“I see no reason why I should tell you, as it is not usual to reveal our informants’ names,” Major Hartley replied. “But let me state that it is someone who has been staying here recently and whose servant was suspicious of certain things that he saw while about his duties.”

Carina felt herself stiffen.

She knew now that it was Sir Percy’s valet who had seen her coming through the sliding panel on the wall and she thought that she had recognised him at the bottom of the stairs.

It was Sir Percy who had given the information to the Police and chosen this way of having revenge!

Too soon had they said they were rid of him! His evil was still with them, he was still capable of damaging their lives and perhaps destroying their happiness.

“I cannot imagine what you are talking about,” Lord Lynche said.

“Well, in that case,” Major Hartley replied, “you will have no objection to our searching The Castle?”

“Searching The Castle?” Lord Lynche repeated.

“I have brought a dozen men with me,” Major Hartley said. “I am well aware of the difficulties of searching a place of this magnitude. But our informant has also told us in which direction it would be wise to look.”

“Then your task is quite an easy one,” Lord Lynche said. “Perhaps, however, you would allow me to inform my mother of what is happening. As you may know, she is very old and in ill health. If your Policemen should burst in on her unexpectedly, it would be very upsetting to say the least.”