Why, the mere fact of any one making a claim to the title and
estates would be almost enough to justify a jury in returning a
verdict of guilty."
But though his thoughts ran in this wise all the time he was
journeying to London, and though he repeated them to himself over
and over again, none the less there remained an uneasy consciousness
in his mind that perhaps these people had plans more subtle than he
knew, and that even this difficulty of making their claim without
bringing instant suspicion on themselves they had provided for.
It was late in the year now, but the day was warm and very calm and
fine. At the London terminus where he alighted he had a strong
feeling that he was watched, and when he took the train back to
Delsby he still had the idea that he was being kept under
observation.
He felt he had been wise in deciding to carry out Deede Dawson's
instructions so closely, for he was sure that if he had failed to
do so in any respect alarm would have been taken at once, and
warning telegrams gone flying on the instant to all concerned.
Then that self-baited trap at Brook Bourne Spring, wherein he hoped
to see his enemy taken, would remain unapproached, and all his
work and risk would have gone for nothing.
When he alighted at his destination he was a little before time,
and so he got himself something to eat at a small public-house near
the station before starting on his fifteen-mile walk across country.
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