Probably for the first time in her life Miss Prince remained silent in answer to a question. She had already heard the rumour that Harry Garlett was to be arrested this morning.
“Let me go to the Thatched House,” she exclaimed, “and if Harry is there I’ll ask him to come out here and speak to you. I don’t think you ought to go there alone, in any case. Think what people would say?”
“I am going there,” said Jean firmly, “and I hope you won’t think me rude, Miss Prince, if I say that I don’t care at all what people say.”
Without waiting for the other’s answer, she began to run, leaving Miss Prince staring after her.
But after she had gone through the wrought-iron gate, she saw that a little way up the broad path leading to the house the Terriford village policeman was standing, as if barring the way.
Now Jean knew the young man well, for he had an invalid mother whom she sometimes visited.
“Have you business up at the house, miss?” he asked hesitatingly.
She answered, “Of course I have, Jackson, or I shouldn’t be going there,” and walked firmly on.
And then, all at once, with a leap of sudden joy she saw Harry Garlett standing by the open front door of his house. The sight of him brought a feeling of comfort, of reassurance, to her burdened heart. But as he came forward to meet her, she realized that he was in a state of painful excitement and anger.
“I tried to get through to your uncle about half an hour ago,” he exclaimed, “but Elsie said he was out. I wanted to tell him myself of the dastardly outrage committed here last evening! It scared away the cook and her daughter, so I’m alone here.”