There was genuine surprise in the honest face.
“I will swear, Sir Ronald; I will swear, as I hope to go to heaven, that the letter was never for one moment out of my possession until I placed it in Susan Fielding’s hand. I sat the whole time in the servants’ hall. As for its contents, I never even thought of what they were.”
“And, before God, that is the truth?”
“Before God I vow it,” said the groom, quickly.
“That letter never reached Lady Hermione Lorriston, Conyers; and if you will help me find what became of it, I will reward you richly.”
“I will do my best, Sir Ronald.” But the groom was evidently puzzled, and his master saw it.
“I need not tell you there are many reasons why I object to having it known that I am making any inquiries in the matter; but do you think, Conyers, you could bring that maid, Susan Fielding, to see me?”
“Yes; I can manage that, Sir Ronald; but unless you wish every one to know it, you had better go to see her.”
“I cannot go to Leeholme,” he interrupted.
“There is no need, sir. If you wish to see Susan Fielding, I will ask her to wait in the Thringston road, say to-morrow morning, and then your interview will seem to have been accidental.”