The rector rang the bell, and Joseph answered directly.
“Wait a moment,” cried the doctor. “Mr Distin, you have not spoken yet. Tell me: what is your opinion. Do you think Vane can have come to harm in the moor strip yonder?”
Distin shrank back as he was addressed, and looked round wildly, from one to the other.
“I—I?” he faltered.
“Yes, you—my dear boy,” said the rector, sharply. “Answer at once, and do, pray, try to master that nervousness.”
Distin passed his tongue over his lips, and his voice sounded very husky as he said, almost inaudibly at first, but gathering force as he went on:—
“I don’t know. I have not seen him since this morning.”
“We know that,” said the doctor; “but should you think it likely, that he has met with an accident, or can you suggest anywhere likely for him to have gone?”
“No, sir, no,” said Distin, firmly now. “I can’t think of anywhere, nor should I think he is likely to have sunk in either of the bog holes, though he is very fond of trying to get plants of all kinds when he is out.”
“Yes, yes,” said the doctor, hoarsely. “I taught him;” and as he spoke Distin gave a furtive look all round the room, to see that nearly everyone was watching him closely.