"That is Mrs. Thomas," whispered the girl. "She will not find us."
He waited till the steps moved away again. Then he began. He looked
anxious and dejected.
"I fear it is precisely as you thought," he said. "I have followed up
every rumour in the place. And the first thing that is certain is that
Topcliffe leaves Derby in two days from now. I had it as positive
information that his men have orders to prepare for it. The second thing
is that Topcliffe is greatly elated; and the third is that Mr.
FitzHerbert will be released as soon as Topcliffe is gone."
"You are sure this time, sir?"
He assented by a movement of his head.
"I dared not tell Mrs. Thomas just now. She would give me no peace. I
said it was but a rumour, and so it is; but it is a rumour that hath
truth behind it. He hath been moved, too, these three days back, to
another cell, and hath every comfort."
He shook his head again.
"But he hath made no promise--" began Marjorie breathlessly.
"It is exactly that which I am most afraid of," said the lawyer. "If he
had yielded, and, consented to go to church, it would have been in
every man's mouth by now. But he hath not, and I should fear it less if
he had. That's the very worst part of my news."
"I do not understand--"
Mr. Biddell tapped his papers on the table.
"If he were an open and confessed enemy, I should fear it less," he
repeated. "It is not that. But he must have given some promise to
Topcliffe that pleases the fellow more.
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