Part 32 (1/2)
”Of course,” he said, ”I would face any danger if necessary and for a good cause But I have est, ? One hesitates to be melodramatic, but the possibilities of”
”They would not dare to touch a minister of the church There would be an outcry----”
”Truetruebut would they admit me? I have called and been denied Do you think----”
He paused, as a ine was plainly heard Ato the drive opened The vicar walked to the
”Who can this be?” he said in surprise ”A ! I hope he'll be careful of the borders”
Robert joined hi As he watched the car drive slowly in he clutched the vicar's arasped ”It's my wife! You must hide me quick!”
”B--but,” stamether, Mr Bangs--Mr Hedderwick, IWhy not face her and get it over at once like a ripped hi The desperate need of the moment scorned the veneer of discretion ”You said you understood,” he hissed fiercely ”Do you always stand up to Mrs Peters?”
The vicar avoided his eye, but his answer brought hope to Robert ”Co to the door He threw it open, and was disappointed to find his wife in the hall That way of escape was blocked ”A caller,to cover his embarrassment ”If I'm wanted, I shall be in here” He returned to the rooht, Mr Hedderwick, I'm afraid
I'm very sorry, but you'll have to face it, after all”
”No, no!” said Robert ”Isn't there another door--a ?”
”The chauffeur's outside Yes; by jove! there's the buttery hatch
Behind the screen! Get through that and out of the pantry ! It opens on the back After that you must look out for yourself I won't tell any lies on your behalf, but--but I'll try to give you a--a sporting start!”
Robert breathed a blessing on his head Then, with soh The vicar closed it behind him, heard the pantryopen with a noiseless chuckle, and then braced hi to wait, for, a ained the road, Mrs Peters introduced his visitor
Mrs Hedderwick glanced round the room much as a terrier who has been told there is a rat about, and without waiting for apologies or declarations, said with an extraordinary bitterness, ”Where is o,” replied the vicar, nervous, but not without a certain enjoy forward to--a reunion--a----”
”I am,” said Mrs Hedderith a vindictive quietness ”Where is he?
Hiding under the table?”
”My dear et there hiine----”
”I want to knohere he _is_!” interrupted the lady, still dangerously calm and determined ”Mrs Peters most kindly--_, and she has just said that she left hione,” said the vicar drea whether Robert had reached The Happy Heart A good runner, he reflected, er young
”_Gone!_” ejaculated both ladies together, and for once in his life the a dramatic and exclusive news
”Gone!” repeated Mrs Peters ”Oh, Charles! Where? How?”
”Gone!” said Mrs Hedderwick, with a rising inflection ”You have helped----”
”How could I detain hi behind a chair
”Why blame me? Could I be expected to keep him here by force? If Mr
Hedderwick preferred to depart by the buttery hatch----”