Fuller duly arrived by an early morning train, and it was ten o’clock when Marie—who was watching for him like a veritable Sister Anne—saw him walk up the avenue. She rushed out of the house and led him into it, hanging fondly on his arm, while asking innumerable questions.
“Oh, darling, I am so glad to see you. And how are you? and when did you arrive? and how long are you going to stay? and will we go into the library? and what have you in that black bag?”
The young man laughed at her eagerness, and was surprised to see how gay and happy she looked, which was indeed remarkable, seeing that Sorley was in such straits. He replied to her questions in sequence. “I am quite well, dearest; I arrived an hour ago, and walked direct from Lewes to you, not even troubling to go to the vicarage; I shall stay for the whole day, as I want to be with you, and have much to tell you; we may as well go into the library for a purpose which I shall explain soon; and in this bag I have the peacock of jewels.”
“Oh,” cried Miss Inderwick greatly astonished, “how did you get it?”
“Mr. Sorley left it in my chambers last night.”
“Then you have seen Uncle Ran?”
“Yes; and so has Latimer.”
Marie looked nervous. “Mr. Latimer doesn’t like Uncle Ran,” she said thoughtfully, “but I hope he has not given him up to the police.”
“Your Uncle Ran gave himself up of his own accord,” said Alan grimly, “but repented at the eleventh hour and made his escape.”
“I’m glad of that,” remarked the girl thankfully, “as I believe Uncle Ran is quite innocent. But why did he give himself up at all?”