"Er!" said Payne, warningly, making a rasp in his throat. "The--er-guest?"
"He knows all about it. Now, girl, it's none of my business, I know―"
"Please tell me!" She clenched her hands.
"Your brother was here. We were a bit worried about the state he's in. I don't mean the drinking. That'll pass off; anyway, he was sick, and he was almost cold sober when he left. But it's the fright he's in; you could see it in the wild and defiant way he acted. We don't want him to get wrought up and do himself an injury over this silly business. Do you see?"
"Well? Go on!"
"The rector and your cousin took him home. Saunders is very much upset about this thing. Look here, I'll be absolutely frank. You know, of course, that before your father died he told Saunders something under a sort of seal of confession; and Saunders just thought he was out of his head at the time? But he's beginning to wonder. Now there may not be anything in this, but — just in case — we're going to keep guard. The window of the Governor's Room is plainly visible from here, and this house isn't much over three hundred yards from the prison itself. Do you see?"
"Yes!";
"Saunders and I, and Mr. Rampole, if he will, are going to be on the watch all the time. There'll be a moon, We can see Martin when he goes in. All you have to do is walk to the front of the lawn, and you have a good view of the front gates. Any noise, any disturbance, anything at all suspicious — Saunders and the young un here will be across that meadow before a ghost could vanish." He smiled, putting his hand on her shoulder. "This is all moonshine, I know, and I'm just a crazy old man. But I've known your people a long time — you see? Now, then, what time does the vigil commence?"
"At eleven o'clock."
"Ah, I thought so. Now, then, just after he's left the Hall, telephone us. We'll be watching. Naturally, you're not to mention this to him; it isn't supposed to be done, and if he knew it he might be in just such a state of nervous bravado to go the other way and block our plans. But you might suggest to him that he sit somewhere near the window with his light."