CHAPTER XXVII. THE GUARDED SECRET
When Bryce had left her, Mary Bewery had gone into the house to await Ransford's return from town. She meant to tell him of all that Bryce had said and to beg him to take immediate steps to set matters right, not only that he himself might be cleared of suspicion but that Bryce's intrigues might be brought to an end. She had some hope that Ransford would bring back satisfactory news; she knew that his hurried visit to London had some connection with these affairs; and she also remembered what he had said on the previous night. And so, controlling her anger at Bryce and her impatience of the whole situation she waited as patiently as she could until the time drew near when Ransford might be expected to be seen coming across the Close. She knew from which direction he would come, and she remained near the dining-room window looking out for him. But six o'clock came and she had seen no sign of him; then, as she was beginning to think that he had missed the afternoon train she saw him, at the opposite side of the Close, talking earnestly to Dick, who presently came towards the house while Ransford turned back into Folliot's garden.
Dick Bewery came hurriedly in. His sister saw at once that he had just heard news which had had a sobering effect on his usually effervescent spirits. He looked at her as if he wondered exactly how to give her his message.
“I saw you with the doctor just now,” she said, using the term by which she and her brother always spoke of their guardian. “Why hasn't he come home?”
Dick came close to her, touching her arm.
“I say!” he said, almost whispering. “Don't be frightened—the doctor's all right—but there's something awful just happened. At Folliot's.”
“What” she demanded. “Speak out, Dick! I'm not frightened. What is it?”
Dick shook his head as if he still scarcely realized the full significance of his news.
“It's all a licker to me yet!” he answered. “I don't understand it—I only know what the doctor told me—to come and tell you. Look here, it's pretty bad. Folliot and Bryce are both dead!”
In spite of herself Mary started back as from a great shock and clutched at the table by which they were standing.