The papers and letters she read to him often contained veiled information which sorely puzzled her, and which caused her many hours of wonder and reflection.

Her father lived alone, with only her as companion.

Her stepmother, a young, good-looking, and giddy woman, never dreamed the truth.
What would she do, how would she act, Gabrielle wondered, if ever she gained sight of some of those private papers kept locked in the cavity beyond the black steel door concealed by the false bookcase at the farther end of the fine old restful room?
The papers she handled had been taken from the safe by Sir Henry himself.

And they contained a man's secret..