"I know much, but not all," said Mrs. Vand in a stronger voice, for the spirit was taking effect. "For instance, I don't know what became of Edwin Lister, but Luke does."
"Then Luke shall be arrested and questioned."
"He shan't!" muttered Granny venomously. "Luke's escaped—a clever boy."
Bella put her arm round Mrs. Vand to render her more comfortable. "How much did Luke tell you?" she asked softly.
"Only so much as cheated us—Henry and I—into paying him money."
"Oh," said Cyril quietly, "so that is why Luke got so drunk."
"He spent his money in drink," said Mrs. Vand indifferently. "We paid him a good deal. He never would have left us, and intended to go to America with us to-night, as he knew too much for our safety."
"How did you intend to escape?" asked Cyril sharply.
"We intended to row down the channel to the swamps; that is why Henry got the boat a few weeks ago. Then we intended to cut across the marshes to the high road, where a motor-car, hired by Henry, awaited us. It would have taken us to London, and there we could have concealed ourselves until a chance came to get to the States. Everything was cut and dried, but you——"
"No," said Lister seriously; "it was not I who stopped you, but Durgo."