“Mother Slaig? Oh, my dear Miss Inderwick you can’t go and see her. She is a virago, and her house is most disreputable. Besides she cannot help you, as she gave her evidence at the inquest——” “And didn’t accuse Uncle Ran at all,” interrupted Marie. “I shall get at the truth if I see her.” “Marie,” said Alan quickly, “you can’t go down to Rotherhithe.” “I can and I shall,” cried Miss Inderwick with another stamp, and looked like a small goddess of war. “Uncle Ran shan’t be hanged for what he never did, if I can help it.” “So long as he keeps away he cannot be caught to be hanged,” said Alan in a pacific manner, for it was necessary to deal in a wary manner with the infuriated girl. “Meanwhile I shall look into the matter and do my best to clear his character. If you go to see Mother Slaig, you may prevent Mr. Sorley’s innocence from being proved.” “But I want to help,” cried Marie, weeping again; “he is my uncle.” “You shall help,” said Alan, taking her in his arms, “when I know in what way you can aid us. Marie, doesn’t everyone in the village know about the accusation of your uncle, and that a detective is in the house?” “Yes. It’s horrid. Everyone is talking about it.” “Then you can have no hesitation in going to my mother and father and in laying the true facts of the case before them. My mother will surely ask you to stay at the vicarage, so remain there while I look into the matter, dearest. Believe me it is the best course to take.” “Then I shall do what you want me to do. But tell me, Alan, when it is necessary for me to come into the matter. I must have a hand in proving the innocence of Uncle Ran.” “I promise you, that as soon as I require your aid I shall ask for it.” Satisfied with this promise, Marie dried her tears, and then asked Alan to get her something to eat, as she was very hungry, and it was now close on five o’clock. Her lover put on his hat and coat and took her out to a restaurant near at hand, where she made a fairly good meal. Dick came with them, as he did not wish Marie to go away with the impression that he was hostile to the accused man. “Believe me, Miss Inderwick,” he said when they were at the table, “no one will be more pleased to hear of your uncle’s innocence than I shall be.” “You believe that he is guilty?” “Well, the facts are against him, but I shall adopt Alan’s line and give him the benefit of the doubt. When we face Miss Grison she may exonerate him. It is not likely, since she hates him for some reason, but——” “She won’t, she won’t; and I don’t care if she doesn’t, Mr. Latimer. In some other way we must save Uncle Ran. Will you see her?” “This very evening,” promised Dick earnestly. “And so shall I,” said Alan suddenly. “Hope for the best, darling.” “Yes,” sobbed Marie, who felt better after her meal, but still was unable to restrain her tears, for the poor girl was greatly shaken, “but is it not terrible, Alan?”