Still I decided to act. Rapidly I wrote a letter to Squire Treherne, giving him the minutest details of what I wished him to do. My brain, I remember, was clear, and I was very careful to insist on all sorts of precautions. This done, I summoned Simpson to me.
"Simpson," I said, "I want you to take this to Squire Treherne immediately; it is a matter of great importance. It may be that you will be in danger on the way; but that must be risked. You must speak to no one. Take the footpath through the fields, and don't delay an instant."
Simpson looked at me steadily as though he doubted my sanity, but evidently there was something in my eyes which told him how much in earnest I was.
"Yes, sir; thank you, sir," he said, and then he hesitated.
"What is it, Simpson?"
"You will be here all alone, sir."
"I can't help that; I shall be all right. Do as I tell you."
"Shall I find you here when I get back, sir?" he asked.
"No, Simpson, I was going to mention that. You will not find me here when you get back. But take no notice of that; wait here until a quarter past one."
"Quarter past one, sir! What, an hour and a quarter past midnight?"