I loved the old house and any excuse to visit was a plea sure. I was commissioned now by two ladies to solve the mystery, Mrs. Bastion and the abbess of Rothmarten Abbey.I understood their desperation. Abbess Quinlain for the preservation of her abbey and the sacred records guarded by David; Mrs. Bastion for the honor of her dead daughter, the injustice done, and for robbing her and her young children of a secure, comfortable future.So I went to Padthaway once again, only to be informed by a cool Mrs. Trehearn that the family was out for the day and did I wish to leave a card? I said I had no printed card to leave and certainly would not write one. While we were standing there during the whole debacle, Jenny Pollock happened by and braved Mrs. Trehearn’s displeasure by inviting me in to take tea with her.Mrs. Trehearn could scarce say no since Jenny Pollock enjoyed the same privileged status she did.So inside Jenny Pollock’s parlor I found myself, enjoying a fresh pot of tea and gossiping about the funeral.“How dreadful for Davie . . .
