‘Thank you,’ she said then, perceiving Sol upon the road, ‘there is my brother; I will get down now.’
‘He was going to ride on to Anglebury with me,’ said Julian.
Picotee did not reply, and Sol turned round. Seeing her he instantly exclaimed, ‘What’s the matter, Picotee?’
She explained to him that he was to go back immediately, and meet her sister at the door by the yew, as Ethelberta had charged her. Christopher, knowing them so well, was too much an interested member of the group to be left out of confidence, and she included him in her audience.
‘And what are you to do?’ said Sol to her.
‘I am to wait at Corvsgate till you come to me.’
‘I can’t understand it,’ Sol muttered, with a gloomy face. ‘There’s something wrong; and it was only to be expected; that’s what I say, Mr. Julian.’
‘If necessary I can take care of Miss Chickerel till you come,’ said Christopher.
‘Thank you,’ said Sol. ‘Then I will return to you as soon as I can, at the “Castle” Inn, just ahead. ’Tis very awkward for you to be so burdened by us, Mr. Julian; but we are in a trouble that I don’t yet see the bottom of.’
‘I know,’ said Christopher kindly. ‘We will wait for you.’