“I—know!” he gasped, hoarsely.
Hilda’s face wore a look of triumph.
“Well, since you know that he was here to-night, does it not strike you as a little odd that he should not have entered the house, but should meet Violet (of course by appointment) out in the grounds? They were out there together ever so long. Leonard, it is my belief—you need not say anything to anybody, of course, until we are sure—but it is my belief that they have gone away together.”
“Hilda!”
“I can not help it; I can not help believing this to be the case. Of course, you will say that no elopement would be carried out under such circumstances; but I believe that old Betty Harwood knows or suspects more than she cares to tell.”
“But, Hilda, I thought, I fancied that I saw Captain Venners with Miss Glyndon when the alarm was given.”
Hilda looked blank.
“That is easily proven,” she returned. “I will see Jessie and ask her.”
By this time the physician had arrived and had taken charge of Mrs. Yorke.
Jessie was standing alone in a deserted corner. Hilda hastened to her side.