“But I have no idea.”
“But I have.”
“Good God! what do you mean?”
“Don’t mistake me! An impression has been produced on my mind—that’s all. Call it a freak or fancy; worth trying perhaps as a bold experiment, and worth nothing more. Come a little nearer. My housekeeper is an excellent woman, but I have once or twice caught her rather too near to that door. I think I’ll whisper it.”
He did whisper it. In breathless wonder, Alban heard of the doubt which had crossed Doctor Allday’s mind, on the evening when Mirabel had called at his house.
“You look as if you didn’t believe it,” the doctor remarked.
“I’m thinking of Emily. For her sake I hope and trust you are wrong. Ought I to go to her at once? I don’t know what to do!”
“Find out first, my good fellow, whether I am right or wrong. You can do it, if you will run the risk with Miss Jethro.”
Alban recovered himself. His old friend’s advice was clearly the right advice to follow. He examined his railway guide, and then looked at his watch. “If I can find Miss Jethro,” he answered, “I’ll risk it before the day is out.”
The doctor accompanied him to the door. “You will write to me, won’t you?”