“Your keenness is remarkable! Your friend Blake and his wife looked me up. I rather think Mrs. Blake forced her husband to be frank. Anyhow, I know who did sell the plans.”
Kit glanced at the others. For Jasper to vindicate him was something of a triumph. Mrs. Carson’s pose was stiff, and she turned her head. Alan frankly exulted. Mrs. Haigh looked straight in front and her thin mouth was tight. Kit saw she was disturbed, but he turned to Jasper.
“Yet you said nothing! You allowed me to carry a hateful load.”
“To begin with, I did not know where you were,” said Jasper dryly. “I might have found out, but since you obviously did not want me to know, I hesitated to inquire. All the same, I informed Meredith and Colvin, and if you like you can go back to the yard. Well, I suppose you are angry. Perhaps my line was puzzling; but as a rule I have an object——”
Mrs. Haigh gave Jasper a queer look, and Kit thought she saw his object; but it was not important.
“I am not going back to the shipyard, sir. I have a better job!”
“Then before you start for Canada I want to see you. I am your uncle and the head of the house, and to meet me will not cost you much. Since getting about is awkward, perhaps you will allow me to fix the time and spot.”
Kit was savage, but the old fellow’s infirmity disarmed him. He agreed, and with an effort for politeness took his leave of Mrs. Carson, gave Alan his hand, and went off.
CHAPTER XXXIII
JASPER WINS
In the morning Kit crossed the moor to Whinnyates. The sun shone, the wind was fresh, and swift cloud-shadows checkered the dry bent-grass. A larch wood on the hillside was bright like an emerald; the sheltered hollows were green with springing fern.