Taking off his coat, he cut through the seam of the lining, placed the letter inside, stitched it to the lining and resewed the seam.
"I will not condemn her unheard," he said. "She shall have the chance of defending herself to me before I denounce her. But, if this is true, then God help her—and me too."
He flung himself on the bed. He was too tired to worry further. The irksome question was shelved—for the moment there was peace, and before that moment passed Harding was sound asleep.
Before he awakened, Mrs. Eustace visited the bank, received the doctor's message and went on her way to Taloona.
She came with Gale.
"Has Mr. Harding returned yet?" she asked, before Wallace could speak. "He was to bring me word whether the doctor wanted me to help to-day."
"He came in about half an hour ago, utterly worn out. I have sent him to bed for a few hours," Wallace replied. "He left a message for you—old Mr. Dudgeon is very bad, and the doctor sent word that if you could go out at once it would be a great help to him."
"Of course I'll go," she exclaimed. "Mr. Gale, you offered to drive me if I were wanted. Will you go for the buggy while I get some things together to take with me?"
She turned to Wallace when Gale had left the office.
"I suppose you have no objection to my going upstairs?"