The woman, frightened by his pallor and sternness, dropped a courtesy, and he rushed out and down the path.
If she had gone down the road to Ilfracombe, and had met Blair! His heart almost ceased beating at the thought. She would meet Blair, and, he knew too well, frustrate the elaborate plot, and ruin the plotter.
He gained the entrance of the road to 'Combe; two or three men were standing under the shelter of a shed, with their tools beside them.
"Have you been working here—in the fields?" he inquired.
"Yes, master, and we be drenched through, we be!" said one.
"Have you seen a lady—a lady with a veil—come this way—to Ilfracombe, I mean?" he said, trying to steady his voice. "I am afraid she has got caught in the storm."
The men shook their heads.
"No," said he who had spoken first; "no one has been along this road 'cepting the gentleman who rode Farmer James' colt this morning."
"I know—I mean I don't know," said Austin Ambrose, catching himself up. "Are you sure?"