“Humph!” ejaculated the old man. “Close as an oyster, or else she doesn’t know anything.”
“That is what I think,” said Madelaine eagerly.
“Ah, well, we are only wasting time,” said Uncle Luke testily. “So now, Leslie, business. First thing we have to do is to go up to London. No; first thing, Maddy, is to run on to your house, and tell them what we are going to do. You’ll have to stay here, my dear, and look after those two. Comfort George all you can; drive him with that silken thread rein of yours, and keep a good tight curb over Margaret. There, you’ll manage them.”
“Yes. Tell them at home I think it better to stay here now,” said Madelaine earnestly. “You will send me every scrap of news?”
“Leslie and I are going to secure the wire and run ourselves in telegrams. Ready, Miner?”
“Yes.”
“Then come on.”
Madelaine caught Leslie’s extended hand, and leaned towards him.
“My life on it,” she whispered. “Louise is true.”
He wrung her hand and hurried away.