"The terms are synonymous, Tommy," I said, producing the coin. "Here you are."
He clutched it tightly in his little brown paw, and while he was recovering from the shock I tore out a page from my pocket-book and wrote my message—
"Will you meet me to-morrow at three o'clock at the Plough at Woodford, or else leave a note for me there, saying where I can see you?
"STUART NORTHCOTE."
This I folded up and handed to the boy. "There you are," I said. "Give that to the lady as soon as you can."
His sudden access of fortune seemed to have paralysed his tongue, for he contented himself with another nod, and then darted off up the road as fast as his legs would carry him.
I waited until he was out of sight, and then I lifted up Mercia's melodramatic little warning and kissed it. If it had come a trifle late, it was none the less welcome—and as for its wording, well, it was good enough for me. My heart was filled with a kind of wild triumph, for surely the fact of her trying to save me was sufficient proof that she had believed my word in the face of all evidence to the contrary.
If I could only see her to-morrow, I would leave her in no doubt as to my feelings. I longed to clear up the whole infernal mystery, but my oath to Northcote rose like a wall between me and my desire. In love as I was, I couldn't bring myself to betray his secret until the accursed three weeks had run their span.
Tearing up the note into tiny fragments, I scattered them judiciously to the breezes, and, continuing my way, turned in at the side gate. It was now quite dusk, and even if anyone had been watching, I doubt if they would have seen me approaching across the lawn.
As it was, I got right up to the terrace without being spotted. The French window, which led into the smoking-room, was open, and, keeping away from the light which streamed out in a great golden beam, I advanced cautiously until I was within a couple of paces.