In the morning she went to see Tulloch. He was eating his breakfast and he was not at all 261 astonished to see her. He thought she had come to talk to him about the investment of her money.
“Good morning, Mistress Vedder! Thou hast been much on my mind, thou and thy money, and no doubt it is a matter of some consequence what thou will do with it.”
“I am come to speak to thee as a friend, in whom I may confide a secret. Wilt thou hear, and keep it, and give me good advice?”
“I do not like to have to do with women’s secrets, but thou art a woman by thyself. Tell me all, then, but do not make more of the matter than it is worth.”
“When Jan Vedder had no other friend, thou stood by him.”
“What then? Jan was a good man. I say that yet, and I say it to thy face, Margaret Vedder. I think, too, that he had many wrongs.”
“I think that too, and I shall be a miserable woman until I have found Jan, and can tell him to his face how sorry I am. So then, I am going away to find him.”
“What art thou talking of? Poor Jan is dead. I am sure that is so.”
“I am sure it is not so. Now let me tell thee 262 all.” Then she went over the circumstances which had fed her convictions, with a clearness and certainty which brought conviction to Tulloch’s mind also.
“I am sure thou are right,” he answered gravely, “and I have nothing at all to say against thy plan. It is a very good plan if it has good management. Now, then, where will thou go first?”