I expect the excitement made
me unnaturally strong. I suffered greatly when it was over."
"You were a wreck," said the physician bluntly.
"When what was over?" asked Mallow, anxiously.
"The event of the night to which I am coming. It took me some
time to get to Rexton, and a long time to walk to the
unfinished house. I did not go down Crooked Lane, but round
by the wall."
"Did you come by, the railway station path?"
"I did not. I took a wide detour and arrived at the
unfinished house on the side opposite to where Rose Cottage
stood."
"Ah!" murmured the young man. "No wonder I missed you. But I
thought you were calling on Miss Loach."
"I intended to, but first I thought I would assure myself
about the ghosts. Certainly I had set you to perform that
task, but, as I was on the spot, I determined to see for
myself. I climbed the wall, not without difficulty, and found
myself in the park--"
"About what time was this?"
"After ten. I can't say how long. But I really cannot be
precise as to the time. I wandered aimlessly about the park,
threading my way amongst the trees and shrubs and undergrowth.
I was astonished to find paths, and it struck me that someone
used the park."
"I believe Miss Loach did--that is, Emilia," said Cuthbert.
"Jennings learned that in some way. She always was on the
watch for anyone coming into the park and learning the secret
of the factory."
"I did not know that at the time," said Caranby, his voice
growing weaker.
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