“MY DEAR MARJORIE,
“I have had your letter, and it has worried me not a little. I can’t bear to think of you as unhappy, little girl. I shall come back to Hurst Dormer, and shall be there to-morrow, Friday, early in the afternoon. Send me a wire to say if you will come, or if you would rather that I came to Cornbridge.
“At any rate, be sure that if you are in any trouble or difficulty, or are worried and anxious, you have done just the right thing in appealing for help to
“Your old friend,
“HUGH.”
He rang the bell for Mrs. Bonner.
“Mrs. Bonner, I find I am obliged to go away for a time.”
“You mean—”
“No,” he said, “I don’t. I mean that my absence will be temporary. I can’t say exactly how long I shall be away, but in the meantime I would like to keep my rooms here.”
Mrs. Bonner’s face cleared. “Oh yes,” she said, “ezackly, I see!”
“I shall run up to Town to-night, and I will write you or wire you when you may expect me back. It may be a week, it may be less; anyhow, I shall come back.”
“I am very glad to hear that, Mr. Alston,” said Mrs. Bonner heartily.
“I shan’t take many things with me, just enough for the night. I’ll go and pack my bag, and clear off to catch the six o’clock up train.”