But perhaps that was a lie to confuse the
search for the missing man, and a reason why that search had failed
so utterly up to the moment of Dunn's own grim discovery in the
attic.
With yet a fresh shock so that he reeled as he stood with the impact
of the thought, Dunn realized that all this implied that every one
of his precautions had been rendered futile that of all his elaborate
plans not one would take effect since all had been entrusted to the
care of the very man against whom they were aimed.
It was Walter for whom the net had been laid in Ottam's Wood; and
Walter to whom had been entrusted the task of drawing that net tight
at the right moment.
It was Walter's friends and agents who were to break into Wreste
Abbey, and Walter to whom had been entrusted the task of defeating
and capturing them. It was Walter from whom Ella stood in most
danger if her action that morning had been observed, and it was
Walter to whom he had given the task of protecting her.
At this thought, he turned and began to run as fast as he could in
the direction of Bittermeads.
At all costs she must be saved, she who had exposed the whole awful
plot. For a hundred yards or so he fled, swift as the wind, till
on a sudden he stopped dead with the realization of the fact that
every yard he took that way took him further and further from Ottam's
Wood.
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