“We must hope for the best, Lee,” said the doctor, firmly. “Joseph, take Doctor Lee’s man with you, go down the town street and spread the alarm. We want men with lanterns as quickly as possible. That place must be searched.”
The two men started at once, and the rector, after an apology, began to put on his boots once more.
“I promised to go or send word to the Manor,” said the doctor, “but I feel as if I had not the heart to go.”
“To tell Mrs Lee, sir?” said Distin, quickly.
“Yes, to say that we are all going to search for Vane,” said the doctor, “but not what we suspect.”
“I understand,” said Distin, quickly; and, as if glad to escape, he hurried out of the room, and directly after they heard the closing of the outer door, and his steps on the gravel as he ran.