"Thank God!" said Tony, with a little laugh, as he read the message and
handed it across to Mr. Wade, who looked at it gravely without comment.
"And now," said Cornish, "not even Joan need know."
For Cornish, having perceived Percy Roden under the trees of the
Toornoifeld, had gone out there to speak to him, and in answer to a
plain question had received a plain answer as to the price that Lord
Ferriby had been paid for the use of his name in the Malgamite
Fund transactions.
Joan had elected to remain in her own rooms, with Marguerite to keep
her company, until the evening, when, under White's escort, she was to
set out for England. The major had in a minimum of words expressed
himself ready to do anything at any time, provided that the service did
not require an abnormal conversational effort.
"I shall be home twenty-four hours after you," said Cornish, as he bade
Joan good-bye at the station. "And you need believe no rumours and fear
no gossip. If people ask impertinent questions, refer them to White."
"And I'll thump them," added the major, who indeed looked capable of
rendering that practical service.
They were favoured by a full moon and a perfect night for their passage
from the Hook of Holland to Harwich. Joan expressed a desire to remain
on deck, at all events, until the lights of the Maas had been left
behind. Major White procured two deck chairs, and found a corner of the
upper deck which was free alike from too much wind and too many people.
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