A fortnight to the day after the exhumation of Mrs. Garlett, Dr. Maclean, after reading his necessary letters, walked through the hall into the kitchen.
“Elsie,” he said abruptly, “I want your good help. First, go and tell your mistress that I require to see her about something urgent and private. Then get hold of Miss Jean and make her stay with you in here till I have done with your mistress.”
The woman, an old and trusted friend by now, just nodded her head. “Ay,” she said, “I’ll do all that.”
A few moments later Mrs. Maclean hurried into her husband’s study. “What is it?” she asked breathlessly. “You shouldn’t frighten me like that, Jock. ‘Secret and urgent’ indeed!”
“Lock the door,” he said briefly.
She turned the key in the lock, and came over close to where he was sitting. “Wha
