“For the present, then, I have done with you. Two hours later I will send for you again, in order that you may sign a certain paper which will be ready by that time. You may go.” “But, monsieur——” “Not a word. Go.” Tom held open the door for him, and Janvard passed out without another word. “At last, Dering! At last everything is made clear!” said Tom, as he crossed the room and laid his hand affectionately on Lionel’s shoulder. “At last you can proclaim your innocence to the world.” “Yes, my task is nearly done,” said Lionel, sadly. “And I thank heaven in all sincerity that it is so. But the duty that I have still to perform is a terrible one. I almost feel as if now, at this, the eleventh hour, I could go no farther. I shrink in horror from the last and most terrible step of all. Hark! whose voice was that?” “I hear nothing save the moaning of the wind, and the low muttering of thunder far away among the hills.” “It seemed to me that I heard the voice of Percy Osmond calling to me from the grave—the same voice that I have heard so often in my dreams.” “How your hand burns, Dering! Shake off these wild fancies, I implore you,” said Tom. “What a blinding flash was that!” “They are no wild fancies to me, but most dread realities. I tell you it is Osmond’s voice that I hear. I know it but too well, ‘Thou shalt avenge!’ it says to me. Only three words: ‘Thou shalt avenge!’” CHAPTER VI. TOM FINDS HIS TONGUE. Nearly a fortnight elapsed after Tom’s last interview with the Squire before he was again invited to Pincote, and after what had passed between himself and Mr. Culpepper he would not go there again without a special invitation. It is probable that the Squire would not have sent for him even at the end of a fortnight had he not grown so thoroughly tired of having to cope with Mrs. McDermott single-handed that he was ready to call in assistance from any quarter that promised relief. He knew that Tom would assist him if only a hint were given that he was wanted to do so. And Tom did relieve him; so that for the first time for many days the Squire really enjoyed his dinner. Notwithstanding all this, matters were so arranged between the Squire and Mrs. McDermott that no opportunity was given Tom of being alone with Jane even for five minutes. The first time this happened he thought that it might perhaps have arisen from mere accident. But the next time he went up to Pincote he saw too clearly what was intended to allow him to remain any longer in doubt. That night, after shaking hands with Tom at parting, Jane found in her palm a tiny note, the contents of which were three lines only. “Should you be shopping in Duxley either to-morrow or next day, I shall be at the toll-gate on the Snelsham road from twelve till one o’clock.”