"In which case he will have a very bad night," said Sir Denzil, as a fury of wind and rain broke against the windowpanes--"a very bad night."
"Is there nothing we can do?"
"There's only one thing I can think of."
"Yes?"
"Keep an eye on that old witch's face downstairs. You may learn something from it if you catch her unawares."
Eager slept little that night for thinking of the missing boy. His anxious mind travelled many roads, but never touched the right one.
Soon after daybreak he was on his way to Knoyle, but returned disappointed, and went on to Carne with a faint hope in him still that Jim might have returned during the night.
"Any news of him, Mrs. Lee?" he asked anxiously, through the kitchen door.
"Noa," said the old lady stolidly. "We none seen nowt on him." And her face was as unmoved as a gargoyle, and the gleam of her little dark eyes struck on his like the first touch of an opponent's foil.
"What on earth can have taken the boy? I've been up to Knoyle, but they know nothing of him there."