They were now in the little oak paneled hall, and by the light of the lamp they could see the tears running down the flushed face of the maid. “Is anything wrong?” said the Canon.
“Oh, sir, I’m so glad you’ve come! Oh, we don’t know what it is!”
At this moment Robin’s nurse showed herself on the staircase.
“For God’s sake, sir,” she said, with trembling lips, “do go into the garden!”
“Why?” said Canon Wilton, in a loud, firm voice.
“Mr. and Mrs. Leith are both there, sir. They’ve been there this long time. Mr. Leith he’s come back from the shooting without Master Robin. Oh, there’s something wrong, sir, there’s something wrong!”
“Stay here for a moment, Darlington,” said the Canon, with a sudden, almost fiery, decision. “I’ll go at once and see what’s the matter.”
But Mr. Darlington laid a bony hand on his friend’s arm.
“I’ll come with you, Wilton. I’m—I’m afraid it’s something very bad.”
He lowered his voice almost to a whisper in saying the last words.