He knew that the calm common sense and
self-reliance of the old man, as well as his experience, would be helpful
to them all. Sir Nathaniel had come to the conclusion that, for some reason which he
did not understand, Lady Arabella had changed her plans, and, for the
present at all events, was pacific. He was inclined to attribute her
changed demeanour to the fact that her influence over Edgar Caswall was
so far increased, as to justify a more fixed belief in his submission to
her charms. As a matter of fact, she had seen Caswall that morning when she visited
Castra Regis, and they had had a long talk together, during which the
possibility of their union had been discussed. Caswall, without being
enthusiastic on the subject, had been courteous and attentive; as she had
walked back to Diana's Grove, she almost congratulated herself on her new
settlement in life. That the idea was becoming fixed in her mind, was
shown by a letter which she wrote later in the day to Adam Salton, and
sent to him by hand. It ran as follows:

   "DEAR MR. SALTON,

   "I wonder if you would kindly advise, and, if possible, help me in a
   matter of business. I have been for some time trying to make up my
   mind to sell Diana's Grove, I have put off and put off the doing of it
   till now. The place is my own property, and no one has to be
   consulted with regard to what I may wish to do about it. It was
   bought by my late husband, Captain Adolphus Ranger March, who had
   another residence, The Crest, Appleby. He acquired all rights of all
   kinds, including mining and sporting. When he died, he left his whole
   property to me. I shall feel leaving this place, which has become
   endeared to me by many sacred memories and affections--the
   recollection of many happy days of my young married life, and the more
   than happy memories of the man I loved and who loved me so much. I
   should be willing to sell the place for any fair price--so long, of
   course, as the purchaser was one I liked and of whom I approved. May
   I say that you yourself would be the ideal person. But I dare not
   hope for so much. It strikes me, however, that among your Australian
   friends may be someone who wishes to make a settlement in the Old
   Country, and would care to fix the spot in one of the most historic
   regions in England, full of romance and legend, and with a
   never-ending vista of historical interest--an estate which, though
   small, is in perfect condition and with illimitable possibilities of
   development, and many doubtful--or unsettled--rights which have
   existed before the time of the Romans or even Celts, who were the
   original possessors. In addition, the house has been kept up to the
   _dernier cri_. Immediate possession can be arranged. My lawyers can
   provide you, or whoever you may suggest, with all business and
   historical details. A word from you of acceptance or refusal is all
   that is necessary, and we can leave details to be thrashed out by our
   agents. Forgive me, won't you, for troubling you in the matter, and
   believe me, yours very sincerely. "ARABELLA MARCH." Adam read this over several times, and then, his mind being made up, he
went to Mimi and asked if she had any objection. She answered--after a
shudder--that she was, in this, as in all things, willing to do whatever
he might wish. "Dearest, I am willing that you should judge what is best for us. Be
quite free to act as you see your duty, and as your inclination calls. We
are in the hands of God, and He has hitherto guided us, and will do so to
His own end." From his wife's room Adam Salton went straight to the study in the tower,
where he knew Sir Nathaniel would be at that hour. The old man was
alone, so, when he had entered in obedience to the "Come in," which
answered his query, he closed the door and sat down beside him. "Do you think, sir, that it would be well for me to buy Diana's Grove?" "God bless my soul!" said the old man, startled, "why on earth would you
want to do that?" "Well, I have vowed to destroy that White Worm, and my being able to do
whatever I may choose with the Lair would facilitate matters and avoid
complications." Sir Nathaniel hesitated longer than usual before speaking. He was
thinking deeply. "Yes, Adam, there is much common sense in your suggestion, though it
startled me at first. I think that, for all reasons, you would do well
to buy the property and to have the conveyance settled at once. If you
want more money than is immediately convenient, let me know, so that I
may be your banker." "Thank you, sir, most heartily; but I have more money at immediate call
than I shall want. I am glad you approve." "The property is historic, and as time goes on it will increase in value. Moreover, I may tell you something, which indeed is only a surmise, but
which, if I am right, will add great value to the place." Adam listened. "Has it ever struck you why the old name, 'The Lair of the White Worm,'
was given? We know that there was a snake which in early days was called
a worm; but why white?" "I really don't know, sir; I never thought of it. I simply took it for
granted." "So did I at first--long ago. But later I puzzled my brain for a
reason." "And what was the reason, sir?" "Simply and solely because the snake or worm _was_ white. We are near
the county of Stafford, where the great industry of china-burning was
originated and grew. Stafford owes much of its wealth to the large
deposits of the rare china clay found in it from time to time. These
deposits become in time pretty well exhausted; but for centuries Stafford
adventurers looked for the special clay, as Ohio and Pennsylvania farmers
and explorers looked for oil. Anyone owning real estate on which china
clay can be discovered strikes a sort of gold mine." "Yes, and then--"  The young man looked puzzled. "The original 'Worm' so-called, from which the name of the place came,
had to find a direct way down to the marshes and the mud-holes. Now, the
clay is easily penetrable, and the original hole probably pierced a bed
of china clay. When once the way was made it would become a sort of
highway for the Worm. But as much movement was necessary to ascend such
a great height, some of the clay would become attached to its rough skin
by attrition. The downway must have been easy work, but the ascent was
different, and when the monster came to view in the upper world, it would
be fresh from contact with the white clay. Hence the name, which has no
cryptic significance, but only fact. Now, if that surmise be true--and I
do not see why not--there must be a deposit of valuable clay--possibly of
immense depth." Adam's comment pleased the old gentleman. "I have it in my bones, sir, that you have struck--or rather reasoned
out--a great truth." Sir Nathaniel went on cheerfully. "When the world of commerce wakes up
to the value of your find, it will be as well that your title to
ownership has been perfectly secured.