Chapter XXXI

They were now in the streets of the cathedral
city, and Mrs. Guthrie, agitated though she was,
could see that there was a curious air of animation and
bustle. A great many people were out of doors on this
late March afternoon.

As a matter of fact something of the facts, greatly
exaggerated as is always the way, had leaked out, and
the whole city was in a ferment.

Slowly the motor made its way round the Market
Place to the Council House, and as it drew up at the
bottom of the steps, a crowd of idlers surged forward.

There was a minute or two of waiting, then a man
whom Mrs. Guthrie knew to be the head inspector of
the local police came forward, with a very grave face,
and helped her out of the car. He wished to hurry
her up the steps out of the way of the people there, but
she heard her husband's voice, "Mary, where are you?"
and obediently she turned with an eager, "Here I am,
waiting for you!" She took his arm, and he pressed
it reassuringly. She was glad he could not see the inquisitive
faces of the now swelling crowd which were
being but ill kept back by the few local police.

But her ordeal did not last long; in a very few moments
they were safe in the Council House, and Mr.
Reynolds, who already knew his way about there, had
shown them into a stately room where hung the portraits
of certain long dead Witanbury worthies.

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v?