"I have heard something that I thought you ought to hear, too--at once." "Yes ?" responded Brereton.
Avice drew an envelope from her muff and gave it to him.
"A boy brought that to me half an hour ago," she said.

"It is from an old woman, Mrs.Hamthwaite, who lives in a very lonely place on the moors up above Hobwick Quarry.

Can you read it in this light ?" "I will," answered Brereton, drawing a scrap of paper from the envelope.
"Here," he went on, giving it back to Avice, "you hold it, and I'll strike a match--the moonlight's scarcely strong enough.

Now," he continued, taking a box of vestas from his pocket and striking one, "steady--'If Miss Harborough will come up to see Susan Hamthwaite I will tell you something that you might like to know.' Ah!" he exclaimed, throwing away the match.

"Now, how far is it to this old woman's cottage ?" "Two miles," replied Avice.
"Can you go there now ?" he asked.
"I thought of doing so," she answered.
"Come along, then," said Brereton.