CHAPTER FIVEFor a moment there was silence and then the Marquis asked,
“Why did you not tell me this when you were looking at the portrait of the Duke?”
Before Aspasia could reply Jerry said,
“It has been a secret that has been kept ever since we were born, my Lord, but when we returned home after riding this morning, we knew that the Duchess must have discovered my existence.”
“How did you know that?” the Marquis enquired.
“We saw Bollard, the Duchess’s Agent, and his men ransacking the house.”
As he spoke, Aspasia gave a little cry.
“Uncle Theophilus! We have – forgotten about him. Supposing when he returns – ”
She looked at Jerry with an expression of horror that the Marquis had seen in her eyes before.
“Yes, of course,” Jerry responded. “I never thought of him. I must go back
