‘Well, I am not going to stay and incite you to talk nonsense,’ said Jane, rising to depart; ‘I will let you know my discoveries.’
She found Fergus watching for her at the gate, with the appeal, ‘Aunt Jane, there’s been a great downfall of cliff, and I want to see what formations it has brought to light, but they won’t let me through to look at it, though I told them White always did.’
‘I do not suppose that they will allow any one to meddle with it at present,’ said Aunt Jane; then, as Fergus made an impatient exclamation, she added, ‘Do you know that a poor little boy was killed, and Cousin Rotherwood a good deal hurt?’
‘Yes,’ said Fergus, ‘Big Blake said so.’
‘And now, Fergus, I want to know where you took that large stone from that you showed me with the crack of spar.’
‘With the micaceous crystals,’ corrected Fergus. ‘It was off the top of that very cliff that fell down, so I am sure there must be more in it; and some one else will get them if they won’t let me go and see for them.’
‘And Alexis White gave you leave to take it?’
‘Oh yes, I always ask him.’
‘Were you at the place when you asked him, Fergus?’
‘At the place on the cliff? No. For I couldn’t find him for a long time, and I carried it all the way down the steps.’