Tiel nodded.
"It was the only thing to do—unless I had shot him there and then. And there might have been more men for all I knew."
"Well," I said, "I can tell you something more about that man. He is patrolling the road at the back at this very moment."
Tiel looked grave enough now.
"It looks as if the house were being watched," he said rather slowly.
"Looks? It is being watched!"
He thought for a moment.
"Evidently they only suspect so far. They can know nothing, or they wouldn't be content with merely watching. Thank you for telling me. We'll talk about it later."
Still cool as a cucumber he re-entered his room, and I returned to my own.
What can be done? Nothing! I can only sit and wait and keep myself from worrying by writing. I have made up my fire and my door is locked, so that this manuscript will be in flames before any one can enter, if it comes to the worst. Recalling the words of Tiel a few days ago, I shiver a little to think of what is ahead. Suspicion has begun!