“I daresay, sir, that Miss Dove and her friend, Miss Chain, might be able to see you, but the squire is not very well, having been much upset by the robbery.”
“In that case you had better not repeat all I have told you, but rather leave my letter to speak for itself. And you will do well to hasten back.”
As Lucy was leaving the office she caught sight, for the second time that day, of a face which seemed familiar to her. But recognition was made difficult by reason of the individual wearing a blue blouse, like a working man from Normandy. However, he apparently had no doubts, for he sprang towards Lucy and held out his hand.
“Don’t you know me, Lucy?” said the foreign-looking man.
“Why, as I live, it is Simon Warner. Well, I am glad to see you, and how are Tom and Mr Goodall? Are they with you?”
“No; I am only over for an hour on most important business. Trigger is all right now, and so is Mr Goodall, but I have not long to stay here, for I am going back to Cherbourg by the next boat.”
“And how are Tom’s wounds? And hasn’t your face been injured, Mr Warner?” asked Lucy.
“Oh, never mind that; and as to Tom, he’s getting on all right.”
At this moment, Warner was summoned into the presence of the station-master, but before he left, he begged Lucy to give his duty to the squire and Miss Edith, while he confided a special message to the cook.
Lucy’s trip had been not an altogether uneventful one. She was particularly mystified by Warner’s being at Newhaven in disguise, yet she presumed there was more going on than was dreamt of in her humble philosophy.