“I am sorry to say I can’t,” replied Varney. “You see he just threw the remark off casually and I didn’t ask any questions. He isn’t very fond of being questioned, you know.”
“I wonder what he could have been going to Falmouth for,” she mused. In reality she did not wonder at all. She felt pretty certain that she knew. But pride would not allow her publicly to adopt that explanation until it was forced on her.
“It seems to me that there is only one course,” she continued. “I must go up to town and see Mr. Penfield. Don’t you think so, Mr. Rodney?”
“Certainly. He is the only one who knows anything and is able to advise.” He hesitated a moment and then added: “Hadn’t we better come up with you?”
“Yes,” said Varney eagerly; “let us all go up.”
Margaret considered for a few moments. “It is excessively kind and sympathetic of you all, and I am glad you offered, because it makes me feel that I have good, loyal friends; which is a great deal to know just now. But really there would be no use in breaking up your holidays. What could you do? We can’t make a search in person. Why not take over the house and stay on here?”
“We don’t want the house if you’re not in it,” said Phillip.
“No,” agreed Jack Rodney; “if we can’t be of use to you, we shall get afloat and begin to crawl round the coast homewards.”
“I think I shall run over to Falmouth and see if I can pick up any news,” said Varney.
“Thank you,” said Margaret. “I think that would be really useful,” and Rodney agreed heartily, adding: “Why not come round on the yacht, Varney? We shall probably get there to-morrow night.”