Naturally enough, Elspeth could not understand the hurried explanation
of the doctor, and could not guess what an important clue the little
man was following up. For a moment or two, she watched him puffing and
panting down the dreary road, and then, with a sigh, she entered the
spongy meadow wherein the caravan was standing. It looked bright and
gay in its coat of yellow paint, although a portion of it was covered
with tarpaulin to preserve from rain various brooms and brushes and
mats and baskets, which dangled on all four sides. The day was still
fine, but already the sky was darkening with the coming night, and the
vehicle looked rather lonely in that wide bleak meadow. The horse
which usually drew the caravan seemed to know this, for it kept as
close as possible to its perambulating home.
As Elspeth approached, she began to sing "Garryowen," since she was
unable to whistle, so as to let Herries know that a friend was coming.
Also when she climbed the steps, she gave the triple knock on the
door, and waited with a beating heart for a sight of that dearly loved
face. The door was cautiously opened, and she hastened to breathe her
own name. Shortly she was within, and the door was again locked.
Herries stepped across the gaping space of his cramped hiding-place,
which was open. He usually kept it ready, so as to slip in and cover
himself with the boards, which he could do by touching the spring, as
speedily as possible. One never knew what stranger might come to the
caravan, either in the way of business, or out of curiosity to see
the sick woman. Rachel herself, looking much better and with a flush
on her formerly pale cheeks, was sitting up. She received Elspeth
with a rather knowing laugh, and held out a large hand, covered,
gipsy-fashion, with silver rings.
"I am glad to see you, my dear," she said in a hearty tone. "I can
talk now, as my throat is getting rapidly well, thanks to Dr.
Herries."
"I am not exactly a doctor," said the young man, smiling, "you can
call me Mr. Herries, the surgeon."
"Oh, you're a doctor right enough," said the proprietress of the
caravan with a nod. "No one could have cured me so quickly as you have
done. And Sweetlips will help you, doctor, as you have helped me. See
if he doesn't. You'll walk a free man yet."
"What is the verdict, Elspeth?" asked Herries, anxiously, "but I need
not ask," he added, smiling bitterly. "Wilful murder, eh, and Angus
Herries the murderer? I thought so."
Elspeth nodded, and leaned against the wall of the vehicle, as her
heart was too full to speak. Mrs. Kind strove to cheer the poor young
fellow who was dreeing so hard a weird.
"Come, come," she cried, in a hearty, good-humoured voice, "you're no
worse off than you were before."
"Ah, but I think he is," said Elspeth, clasping her thin hands. "There
is now a reward of five hundred pounds offered."
Herries started and flushed and bit his lip.
"By whom?"
"Miss Tedder."