“Now! I left France a fortnight since. I have not been to Abbotscliff. I know nothing but the facts that you are married, and where you live, which I learned by accident, and I instantly thought that your house, if you would take me in, would be a safer refuge than either Brocklebank or Abbotscliff. Now tell me some thing in turn. Are my father and Flora well?”
“Yes, for anything I know.”
“And all at Brocklebank?”
“Quite.”
“And the Keiths? Has Annas bagged her pheasant?”
“What do you mean, Angus?”
“Why, is she Mrs Raymond? I saw all that. I suppose Duncan got away without any difficulty?”
“Annas is Mr Raymond’s wife,” I said. “But, Angus, I cannot think how it is, but—I am afraid you do not understand.”
“Understand what?”
“Is it possible you do not know what price was paid for your ransom?”