Amy has asked me to reply to your letter of a month ago. I scarcely
need to tell you how greatly it distressed her. If you should come
to the house publicly now, everything she has tried to do would be
ruined. She had hoped that you would wait patiently, but as you
refuse to do so, she has consented to see you.
She wants to see Lily as well, and, although there is a great deal
of risk in this, if you will follow my directions, I think we can
manage. Telephone to the nurse with whom the child is boarding to
bring her to the station at Greenwich by the train leaving New York
at 7.20 A.M. on Tuesday and Eddy will meet her there. You can take
an early afternoon train to Stamford. Take a taxi there and go up
the Post Road to Bonnifer Lane, a little past the Raven Inn. There
is a new church being built on the corner. Turn down here, and stop
at the first house, about half a mile from the main road. You will
find the little girl there, and I shall be there, waiting for you,
between three and five, and we can make arrangements for you to see
Amy.
Remember, Mr. Ives, that Amy trusts you to do nothing until you
have seen her.
Respectfully yours,
AMANDA JONES.
Ross folded up the letter. Yes; nobody could ask for a much better clew.
He took out another letter, but before opening it, he glanced out of the
window. And he saw Donnelly coming back.
He put the wallet into his pocket, and went to the head of the stairs. A
great lassitude had come upon him; he felt physically exhausted. His
doubt--and his hope--were ended now.
Donnelly came in quietly, and advanced to the foot of the stairs. It was
not possible to read his face by that dim light, but his voice was very
grave.
“Come on!” he said.
“Find anything?” asked Ross.
Donnelly was silent for a moment.
“I’ve finished,” he said, at last.
“What--” began Ross.
“I’ve finished,” Donnelly repeated, almost gently. “It’s up to the
police now. We’ll have that pond dragged.”
Ross, too, was silent for a moment.
“All right!” he said. “I’ll just get my hat.”
He turned back into the room; Donnelly waited for him below. In a few
minutes Ross joined him, and they got into the cab.