left slightly ajar behind him, was pushed open a little, and Gabriel's colourless face looked out.
"Tell the young woman to go and see a solicitor," he said, and vanished again.
Joseph glanced at Betty, who was still staring indignantly at him.
"You hear?" he said quietly. "Now you'd better go away. You are not going in there."
Betty suddenly turned and walked out. She was across the Market-Place and at the door of the Scarnham Arms before her self-possession had come back to her. And she was aware then that a gentleman, who had just alighted from a horse which a groom was leading away to the stable yard, was looking and smiling at her.
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Is it you, Lord Ellersdeane?—I beg your pardon—I was preoccupied."
"So I saw," said the Earl. "I'd watched you come across from the Bank. Is there any news this morning?"
"Come up to my sitting-room and let us talk," said Betty. She led the way upstairs and closed her door on herself and her visitor. "No news of my uncle," she continued, turning to the Earl. "Have you any?"
The Earl shook his head disappointedly.
"No!" he replied. "I wish I had! I myself and a lot of my men have been searching all round Ellersdeane—practically all night. "We've made inquiries at each of the neighbouring villages—without result. Have the police heard anything?—I've only just come into town."
