He may have followed and watched. Most likely.
Weve more to fear from somebody having seen Sybil go to the spot this afternoon. At that hour people would be at work in the fields, and anybody crossing those turnips must have been seen half a mile off.
Unless they made a détour and came through the wood from the opposite side, as I expect she did. She would never risk discovery by going there openly.
But what shall we do with all this? I asked.
Burn the lot; thats my advice.
And if weve been discovered. What then? It would be awkward if the police came to us for these letters and we had burnt them. No, I declared. Let us keep them under lock and key at least for the present.
Very well, as you like. All I hope is that nobody will identify the fellow, my friend said. If they do, then his connection with Sybil may be known. Recollect what the letters say about the maid Mason. She suspects.
Thats so, I said, seriously. Mason must be sent to London on some pretence the first thing in the morning. She must not be allowed to see the body.
It seems that Sybil held some secret of the dead mans, and yet was loyal to him throughout. I wonder what it was?
The fellow was an outsider, without a doubt. Sybil foolishly fell in love with him, and he sought to profit by it. He was an adventurer, most certainly. I dont like that cipher. Its suspicious, I declared.
Then youll keep all these things in your possession. Better seal them up and put them in your bank or somewhere safe.
Yes, I said, Ill take them to my bank. At any rate, theyll be put away from prying eyes there.
And how shall we face her? Eric asked.
How will she face us, thats the question? I said, in a low voice.
Then almost at the same moment we were both startled by hearing a low tapping upon my door.
Eric and I turned and looked inquiringly at each other.
Its Budd, your man, I expect, he whispered. He must not see me. Perhaps hes heard of the affair and come to tell you. Look, Ill get in there, and springing across to a big old-fashioned oak wardrobe he slipped inside and I closed the door noiselessly.
Then, quick as thought, I swept up the letters and other articles upon the table, placed them in one of the drawers, and stood awaiting a further summons.
In a moment the low tapping was repeated.
Whos there? I inquired, crossing and drawing aside the heavy portière.
Wilfrid! whispered a low voice. Can you see me? I must speak with you at once.
I started as though I had received a blow. It was Sybil herself!
Chapter Six.
Contains a Curious Confession
I unlocked the door, and opening it, met the love of my youth standing there in the darkness.
Wilfrid! she gasped, in a low whisper, I I want to speak to you. Forgive me, but it is very urgent. Come along here into the blue room. Come, there is no time to lose.
Thus impelled, I followed her along the corridor to the small sitting-room at the end, where she had apparently left her candle.
By its light I saw that she was dressed in a black tailor-made gown, and that her face was white and haggard. She closed the door, and noticing that I was still dressed, said,
Have you only just come up to bed?
Yes, was my answer. Eric and I have been gossiping. The others went up long ago, but he began telling me some of his African yarns.
But everyone is in bed now? she inquired, quickly.
Of course, I answered, wondering why she had come to me thus, in the middle of the night. She had changed her dinner-gown for a walking dress, but there was still the bow of blue velvet in her gold-brown hair which she had apparently forgotten to remove.
Wilfrid! she said, in a low, hard voice, suddenly grasping both my hands. Although you refused to marry me you are still my friend, are you not?
Your friend! Of course I am, I answered rather hoarsely. Did I not tell you so before dinner?
I know you did, but and she dropped her fine eyes, still holding my hands in hers. Her own hands trembled, and apparently she dared not look me full in the face.
But what ? I asked. What troubles you? Why are you dressed like this?
I I have been very foolish, she whispered. I am, after all, a woman, and very weak. Ah! Wilfrid if I only dare tell you the truth if I only dare? she gasped, and I saw how terribly agitated she was.
Why not? Why not confide in me? I urged, seriously. I can keep a secret, you know.
No, no, she cried. How can I? No, I only beg and implore of you to help me, and not to misjudge me.
Misjudge you, why? I dont understand, I said, in pretence of ignorance.
Ah! of course not. But to-morrow you will know everything, and but she did not conclude her sentence.
There was a change in her countenance, and I saw that she was fainting. I drew her to a big armchair, and a second later she sank into it unconscious.
Next instant I dashed along to my room for the water-bottle, whispered to Eric what had taken place and ran back to assist my little friend.
Ten minutes later she opened her eyes again and gazed steadily at the candle. Then, finding me at her side, she whispered,
Yes, ah yes, I remember. How very foolish I have been. Forgive me, Wilfrid, wont you? I miscalculated my strength. I thought myself stronger, and her soft hand again sought mine, and she looked into my eyes steadily, with a long, earnest gaze.
You are in distress, Tibbie, I said, as kindly as I could. What is it? How can I help you?
You can save me, she said in an intense, earnest voice. You can save my life if you will.
If I will? Why, of course I will, was my quick response.
Then you will really help me?
Only tell me what you wish me to do and Ill do it at once, I replied.
You will have no fear?
Fear of what?
Well, she exclaimed, hesitating, suppose you were suspected of something that the police believed you to be guilty of a crime?
Guilty of a crime? I echoed, with a forced smile. Well, they might suspect whatever they like, so long as I was innocent.
Then you are really prepared to bear any suspicion if it would be for my salvation?
Have I not already said that I am quite ready to help you, Tibbie?
Ah, yes, because you do not yet realise your grave peril, she said. If only I dare be frank with you if only I dare tell you the awful, bitter truth! Yet I cant, and you must remain in ignorance. Your very ignorance will cause you to court danger, and at the same time to misjudge me.
I shall not misjudge you, I assured her. But at the present I am, as you say, entirely in the dark. What is it you want me to do?
For a moment she was silent, apparently fearing to make the suggestion lest I should refuse. At last she looked straight into my face and said,
What I ask you to do is to make a great sacrifice in order to save me. I am in peril, Wilfrid, in a grave, terrible peril. The sword of fate hangs over me, and may fall at any instant. I must fly from here I must fly to-night and hide I
She hesitated again. Her words were an admission of her guilt. She was a murderess. That unknown man that I had left lying cold and dead beneath the trees had fallen by her hand.