CHAPTER XXVII.
THE WHOLE TRUTH "Have the ladies gone ?" Langholm had ridden a long way round, through the rain, in order to avoid them; nor was there any sign of the phaeton in the lane; yet these were his first whispered words across the wicket, and he would not venture to set foot upon the noisy wet gravel without Mrs.Brunton's assurance that the ladies had been gone some time.
"And they've left him a different man," she added.

"But what have you been doing to get wet like that?
Dear, dear, dear! I do call it foolish of yer! Well, sir, get out o' them nasty wet things, or I shall have you to nurse an' all!" The kind, blunt soul bustled to bring him a large can of scalding water, and Langholm bathed and changed before going near the invalid.

He also felt another man.

The thorough wetting had cooled his spirit and calmed his nerves.

His head still ached for sleep, but now it was clear enough.
If only his duty were half as plain as the mystery that was one no more! Yet it was something to have solved the prime problem; nay, everything, since it freed his mind for concentration upon his own immediate course.