“Lock it, I tell you!”
A long arm shot out and a bony hand turned the key in the door.
“It’s the only thing to be done for the moment,” said Mr. Darlington to the Canon. “She’s mad with fear.”
Both the maids had disappeared, terrified by the face of their mistress. Rosamund caught hold of the stair-rail and began to hurry upstairs, but Mr. Darlington followed her and seized her by the arm.
“Rosamund! Rosamund! What is it?”
She turned.
“I’m going to find Robin. That man’s killed Robin! Keep him out! Keep him away from me!”
A dreadful surreptitious expression made her face hideous. She leaned forward, nodding her head, and whispered in Mr. Darlington’s ear:
“You keep him away from me while I find Robin. He’s killed Robin!”
Her whole body began to shake. Mr. Darlington put one arm round her.