Chapter VII

           Somedayslater,theinsuranceoffices(twoinnumber)receivedtheformalannouncementofLordMontbarry’sdeath,fromherladyship’sLondonsolicitors.Thesuminsuredineachofficewasfivethousandpounds—onwhichoneyear’spremiumonlyhadbeenpaid.Inthefaceofsuchapecuniaryemergencyasthis,theDirectorsthoughtitdesirabletoconsidertheirposition.Themedicaladvisersofthetwooffices,whohadrecommendedtheinsuranceofLordMontbarry’slife,werecalledintocouncilovertheirownreports.Theresultexcitedsomeinterestamongpersonsconnectedwiththebusinessoflifeinsurance.Withoutabsolutelydecliningtopaythemoney,thetwooffices(actinginconcert)decidedonsendingacommissionofinquirytoVenice,’forthepurposeofobtainingfurtherinformation.’

           Mr.Troyreceivedtheearliestintelligenceofwhatwasgoingon.HewroteatoncetocommunicatehisnewstoAgnes;adding,whatheconsideredtobeavaluablehint,inthesewords:

           ’Youareintimatelyacquainted,Iknow,withLadyBarville,thelateLordMontbarry’seldestsister.Thesolicitorsemployedbyherhusbandarealsothesolicitorstooneofthetwoinsuranceoffices.TheremaypossiblybesomethinginthereportofthecommissionofinquirytouchingonFerrari’sdisappearance.Ordinarypersonswouldnotbepermitted,ofcourse,toseesuchadocument.Butasisterofthelatelordissoneararelativeastobeanexceptiontogeneralrules.