Then they tried to talk again; but the men could think of no topic which did not somehow lead them near to Emily Gaunt and such dangerous ground. Even when Margery began to speak of the motorboat, the men seemed to be stricken silly and dumb. Margery wondered what ailed them, till she remembered about John’s “wood-collecting” evidence, and blushed suddenly at her folly.

Stephen went down with John to the front door feeling certain that he would there and then “have it out.” But John said nothing, only a quick “Good night.” He did not look at Stephen. They felt then like strangers to each other. And Stephen, marvelling at John’s silence and strangely moved by his coldness, became suddenly anxious to get at his thoughts.

He said, “John⁠—I⁠—I⁠—I hope you’re not⁠ ⁠… hadn’t I better⁠ ⁠… I⁠—I mean⁠ ⁠… are you being worried much⁠ ⁠… by this?⁠ ⁠…”

His vagueness was partly due to a new and genuine nervousness and partly to calculation⁠—a half-conscious determination not to commit himself. But John perfectly understood.