"What about her?" he demanded, with some attempt at bravado.
"We find that there is an impression in the village that Mr. Macheson is responsible for her disappearance."
Hurd seized his opportunity without a second's hesitation.
"How do you know that it isn't the truth?" he demanded. "He wouldn't be the first of these psalm-singing missioners who have turned out to be hypocrites!"
Macheson never flinched. Wilhelmina only shrugged her shoulders.
"Mr. Hurd," she said, "we will not waste time. Mr. Macheson and I are both perfectly aware that you are responsible for Letty's disappearance."
"It's--it's false!" he declared, swallowing with an effort a more obnoxious word. "Why, I haven't left the village since the day she went away."
"But you are going--to-night," Wilhelmina remarked.
"I'm going away on business," he answered. "I don't see why it should be taken for granted that I'm going to see her."
"Nevertheless," Wilhelmina said quietly, "between us three there isn't the slightest doubt about it. I tell you frankly that the details of your private life in an ordinary way do not interest me in the least. But, on the other hand, I will not have you playing the Don Juan amongst the daughters of my tenants. You have been very foolish and you will have to pay for it. I do not wish to make you lose your train to-night, but you must understand that if you ever return to Thorpe, you must bring back Letty Foulton as your wife."
"Precisely," Wilhelmina answered. "I will give her a wedding present of a thousand pounds, and I will see that your own position here is made a permanent one."
He had the appearance of a man beside himself with anger. Was this to be the end of his schemes and hopes! He, to marry the pretty uneducated daughter of a working farmer--a girl, too, who was his already for the asking. He struggled with a torrent of ugly words.
"I--I must refuse!" he said, denying himself more vigorous terms with an effort.
"Better think it over, Mr. Hurd," she said. "I am in earnest."
He hesitated for a moment, and then, with a glance at the clock, moved towards the door.
"Very well," he said, "I will think it over. I will let you know immediately I return from London."
"You can take as long as you like to reflect," she answered, "but it must be here in this room. Mr. Macheson and I will wait."