The Story Continued by Marian Halcombe

“Certain. I had him watched from the time he left Cumberland to the time he sailed. Oh, I’ve been careful, I can tell you! Anne Catherick lived with some people at a farmhouse near Limmeridge. I went there myself, after she had given me the slip, and made sure that they knew nothing. I gave her mother a form of letter to write to Miss Halcombe, exonerating me from any bad motive in putting her under restraint. I’ve spent, I’m afraid to say how much, in trying to trace her, and in spite of it all, she turns up here and escapes me on my own property! How do I know who else may see her, who else may speak to her? That prying scoundrel, Hartright, may come back without my knowing it, and may make use of her tomorrow⁠—” “Not he, Percival! While I am on the spot, and while that woman is in the neighbourhood, I will answer for our laying hands on her before Mr. Hartright⁠—even if he does come back. I see! yes, yes, I see! The finding of Anne Catherick is the first necessity⁠—make your mind easy about the rest. Your wife is here, under your thumb⁠—Miss Halcombe is inseparable from her, and is, therefore, under your thumb also⁠—and Mr. Hartright is out of the country. This invisible Anne of yours is all we have to think of for the present. You have made your inquiries?” “Yes. I have been to her mother, I have ransacked the village⁠—and all to no purpose.” “Is her mother to be depended on?” “Yes.” “She has told your secret once.”