"He mustn't hear from anyone but me," said Lucy. "I'll speak to her."
But Hilda was not in the pantry.
"I don't think she'll tell," I said, "and after all what does it
matter? Let's take a chance."
Mentally I resolved to communicate with Hilda at the earliest possible
moment, and to use whatever influence I had upon her. So I was no
sooner in my room at home than I took the receiver from my private
telephone and gave the number of the Fultons' house. After an interval
I heard Hilda's voice.
"It's Mr. Mannering, Hilda."
"Yes, sir."
"I want to see you about something important."
"I know."
So she knew, did she?
"Can you meet me at ten o'clock tonight?"
"Where?"
"Leave the house at ten sharp, and walk toward the town; I'll be
watching for you. You'll come?"
"Yes, sir."