Her eyes dilated. “Found him! O God, not dead?”
“No, no!” he replied quickly. “But in what case I dare not say!”
“Where?” she demanded. “Why do you not take me to him at once? Why do we stand here wasting time? Where is he?”
“I will take you to him,” he said. “It is some little distance, but I have brought a carriage for you. Will you come with me?”
“Good God, of course I will come!” she cried. “Let me but run home to leave a message for Mrs. Scattergood, and we may start immediately!”
His clasp on her hand tightened. “Judith, most solemnly I beg of you do not do that! A message to Mrs. Scattergood will ruin all. You do not know the whole.”
“What are you trying to tell me?” she said. “How could a message to Mrs. Scattergood ruin all?”
“Cousin, every suspicion has been confirmed. You are not meant to find Peregrine. The place where I shall take you is hidden away in the depths of the country. I believe him to be held there—you may guess by whom.”
She had the sensation of having received a blow that robbed her of all power of speech. She made a queer little gesture, as though to ward something off, and without a word turned, and hurried towards the carriage.
He assisted her to get into it, and took his place beside her. The steps were folded up, and in a moment the horses were turned about, and driven at a trot up the Steyne towards the London road.