“I’ll let you know about the train on Tuesday.”
John halted, turned.
“Well, really!” he ejaculated.
CHAPTER II
A RUMOUR
That evening John wrote a letter to his sister, Mrs. Darcy, who lived in Ireland. The letter contained the following paragraphs:
“I am going down to Malford on Tuesday, an out-of-the-way spot near Whortley. Corin Elmore—the painter fellow, you know who I mean—has bothered me into it. He has got a job there, uncovering and restoring the mural paintings in a pre-reformation church. All seems grist that comes to his mill. Apparently the only attractions the place has to offer are gorgeous scenery, and later a superabundance of blackberries, if I choose to await their ripening. I don’t know for how long I shall find such attractions all-satisfying.
“Address after Tuesday next till further notice, The White Cottage, Malford, near Whortley.
“I hope Maurice and the kiddies are flourishing.
“Your loving brother, John.”
The morning before he left town John received a reply to his letter.