He still felt averse to visiting a house where his presence had been forbidden by one who was now unable to resent his coming, but this was offset by his desire to help Mrs Varian and to help in finding Betty.
He pondered over the idea of a secret passage in the house, but it was of small comfort to him. If those other indefatigable workers had not been able to find it, he had no reason to think he could do so. And, besides, it was anything but an attractive picture to imagine Betty, either hidden voluntarily or concealed against her will in some such place.
He trudged along up the rocky steps and presented himself at the door of Headland House.
Sheriff Potter admitted him, and listened to his story.
Then he took him to the library and introduced him to Doctor Varian and his wife.
“I am glad to see you,” cried Janet. “Tell me of Eleanor.”
“She’s all right,” returned Granniss, cheerfully. “She rather wanted to come up here with me, but they persuaded her to stay over night with Mrs Blackwood.”
“Better so,” said Doctor Varian. “Did Dunn learn anything from anybody that you know of?”
“No,” said Rodney, “and I fear there’s little to learn from anybody.”
“Meaning?”