Mrs. Mason's window was thrown open next, and her voice came out imperiously—"What is it?"
Laura's life seemed to hang on the answer.
"Will you please tell Miss Fountain that her stepmother is in great danger, and asks her to come at once."
She leapt from her bed, but must needs wait—turned again to stone—for the next word. It came after a pause.
"And wha's the message from?"
"Kindly tell her that Mr. Helbeck is here with the dog-cart."
The window closed. Laura slipped into her clothes, and by the time Mrs.
Mason emerged the girl was already in the passage.
"I heard," she said briefly. "Let us go down."
Mrs. Mason, pale and frowning, led the way. She undid the heavy bars and lock, and for the first time in her life stood confronted—on her own threshold—with the Papist Squire of Bannisdale.
Mr. Helbeck greeted her ceremoniously. But his black eyes, so deep-set and cavernous in his strong-boned face, did not seem to notice her. They ran past her to that small shadow in the background.