"By the way, what is that stone on your table?" asked Colpus.
"That, sir? Matabel had it in her hand when she comed in. I took it away, and then I felt how burnin' she was, like a fire."
"Oh! she was still holding that stone. Did she say anything about it?"
"Yes, sir, she said that she used it to defend herself and baby."
"From whom?"
"She didn't say—but you know, sir, there has been a bit of tiff between her and the Broom-Squire, and she won't hear of goin back to the Punch-Bowl, and she has a fancy he wants to take the baby away from her. That's ridic'lous, of course. But there is no getting the idea out of her head."
"I must see her."
"You can't speak to her, sir. She is asleep still." Colpus considered.
"I'll ask you to allow me to take this stone away, Betty. And I must immediately send for the doctor. He has been sent for to the Punch-Bowl, and I'll stop him on the way back to Godalming. I must be assured that Matabel is in a fit state to be removed."
"Removed, whither?"