Free Lord of the Abbey by K. R. Richards Page A

head when the man was seen running past the stables. Lyon and I were just about to question the lad then search the house and grounds.”
     
    “ The servants were being questioned when we came in, Harry. I’ll listen in, if you like,” the sandy-haired man offered helpfully.
     
    “ Thank you, Charlie. That will help.”
     
    “ Afterward, I shall search the house for you, Harry. You and Lyon need to take to the grounds now. It looks about to rain again.” The sandy-haired man, whom Harry called Charlie, left the room.
     
    The dark-haired, mysterious man whom Rowena now guessed to be Lord Wincanton waved Harry and Lyon away with his hand. “Don’t worry, Harry. I’ll stay with the ladies and um…”
     
    “ Sir John Nunn.” Sir John stepped forward to greet the new guest.
     
    “ Yes, I’ll stay with the ladies and Sir John,” the dark- haired man said matter-of-factly. He watched Harry and Lyon leave the room.
     
    “ Micah Wychcombe. Wincanton. Please, call me Micah. I prefer it over formality.” The man left his satchel by the door. He moved to the sitting area.
     
    Lord Wincanton was introduced to the ladies by Sir John. “Please, do sit down. Tell me what happened.”
     
    After Rowena, Frances, and Sir John enlightened Wincanton in turns, he requested to be taken to the library. The three joined him.
     
    Micah studied the window very carefully. He repeatedly opened the mullioned panel then pulled it closed by placing his hand underneath. He leaned very far out to study the foot prints and the area surrounding them. He adjusted his spectacles once or twice to have a better look.
     
    “ I say,” he muttered. He moved back toward the table, then pausing, he studied the window from a distance. “Hmm?” Micah Wychcombe stood for a moment, seemingly deep in thought as he pulled on his chin. He returned to the window, turning to glance back toward the table. “Interesting.”
     
    Rowena and her aunt exchanged curious glances.
     
    He opened the window wide and called out loudly, “Harry!” He motioned for his friend, who must have been walking through the garden beyond, to come closer.
     
    “ Micah?” Harry’s voice entered the room from the open window.
     
    “ Stand here for a few moments. I want to see if I can see you and from what angles of the room. And I want to know exactly what you can see from where you stand. Can you step around the foot prints, please. We don’t want to damage them until I’ve the chance to examine them closer.”
     
    “ Very well, Micah.”
     
    Rowena hid a small smile. There was a hint of annoyance in Harry Bellingham’s tone.
     
    “ Pay attention to what parts of the room you can see from that angle, Harry.”
     
    “ Of course, Micah,” Harry uttered dryly.
     
    Letting the window hang loose, Lord Wincanton left Harry, then proceeded to walk all around the large library. He returned to the window. Swung it open. “What parts of the library could you best see from where you stand, Harry?”
     
    “ The table. The far side of the room, and the room directly in front of me in the area of this window.”
     
    “ Can you see the ladies and Sir John?”
     
    “ I see Lady Rowena, but not Lady Sperring. I only see half of Sir John,” Harry provided.
     
    “ So, you can see pretty much everything in the room except the far corner and along this wall, the same wall as the window. Am I correct?”
     
    “ Yes, Micah. I believe that was what I said,” Harry answered.
     
    “ The only time I can see you particularly well, Harry, is when I’m here in this part of the room near the window, and only slightly from the other side of the room. By the foot prints, our perpetrator stood nearly where you are and watched the room, but it appears he moved over there to the other side of the window to avoid being seen at some point. Someone must have entered the room and walked up near where I stand, in this general area, where there was a risk he might be