“Oh! Was he a friend of Sarah’s?”
“Oh, yes! I think she must have been in love with him when she was young, and he must have been a very bad man who made her do anything he liked; and the most curious part of it is that she—she mixes his name up with the people she knows now,” said I, lowering my voice still more.
“How?” asked Mr. Rayner. “Whose name does she mix his up with?”
“Why, with—with mine, Mr. Rayner!” said I, blushing uncomfortably at the very thought. “She kept saying in her ravings that this wicked forger—for she said he was a forger—James Woodfall, was in love with me and wanted to marry me, and that he wanted her to help to marry this common thief to me. Wasn’t it dreadful to have to listen to that?” whispered I excitedly.
“Did she say James Woodfall was a common thief?”
“No, I gathered that from what she said. Did you ever hear of him, Mr. Rayner?”
“Yes, I have heard of him, and I believe he is alive now,” said he.
“Then I believe that she is in love with him still, and that he is at the bottom of this dreadful robbery!” cried I, much excited. “Oh, Mr. Rayner, couldn’t you find out from Sarah where he is now, while the detective is here, and get him caught?” I said breathlessly.
Mr. Rayner shook his head thoughtfully.
“I am afraid not, my dear child. If James Woodfall is the man I mean, he will never be taken alive,” said he.