“I’ll fix that,” Kit said dryly.  “You are going, anyhow.  If you deliver the letter I’ll give you to some people in Mobile, they’ll find you a job.  The rest will depend upon yourself.”

For a few moments Gerald hesitated, and then got up.  “Very well!  Perhaps it’s the best chance I’ll get, and I’ll take it.  But I must go back and pack.”

“I think not,” said Kit.  “There’s not much time.  I must see the bank manager at his house first of all, and start soon.  You’ll come with me to the town.  Sit down and write to your mother; I’ll see she gets the note.”

Gerald did as he was told and not long afterwards Kit and he drove out of the Ashness lonning and took the road to the town.

CHAPTER IX

KIT GOES TO THE RESCUE

As the sun got lower an apathetic gloom began to replace the anxiety that had kept the Osborns highly strung.  Mrs. Osborn went dejectedly about the house, sometimes moving an ornament and putting away a book, for her brain was dull and she felt incapable of the effort to rouse herself for her daughter’s sake.  Thorn had not arrived and if he did not come soon he would be too late.  On the whole, this was some relief, although it meant that there was no escape from the disaster that threatened her home.

Torn by conflicting emotions, she had since morning struggled against the binding force of her traditions.  In a sense, it was Grace’s duty to save the family honor, but the duty would cost the girl too much.  Yet, if Grace failed them, Gerald must suffer, and she doubted if her husband could bear the shame that must fall on all.  Now, however, she was conscious of a numbing resignation that blunted feeling and dulled her brain.

In the meantime, Grace stood at the lodge gate, watching the road to Ashness while the shadows crept across the dale.  Gerald had not come back and she had not told her mother where he had gone.  The delay was worrying, particularly since Kit had sent no message.  He had said he could help and one could trust him, but he did not come and the confidence she had felt was vanishing.  If it was not well placed, there was no escape for her, and she shrank with horror from meeting Thorn’s demand.

The shadows got longer, but nothing moved on the road that ran like a white riband across the fields until it vanished among the trees at Ashness.  Presently, however, she heard the throb of a car coming up the valley and a cloud of dust rolled up behind a hedge.  It was Thorn’s car; she knew its hum and as she watched the dust get nearer her face went white.  Then, as the hum became loud and menacing, she clenched her hand and ran in nervous panic up the drive.  She was breathless when she reached the house, but pulled herself together and went to a quiet room where she would be alone.

Osborn, sitting in the library, heard the car, and got up with a sense of relief and shrinking.  He had been afraid that Thorn would fail him, and now he almost wished that the fellow had not come.  He was not in the mood to be logical, and although it was obvious that Thorn alone could save him from disaster, knowing what Grace must pay hurt him more than he had thought.  Yet she must pay; he could find no other plan.  Now he was acquiescent but not resigned, and his hopelessness gave him calm.