"Am I going to see Anna now?" asked Mrs. Guthrie
nervously.
"Yes, I must ask you to do that as soon as possible.
And, Mrs. Guthrie? Please remember that all we
want to know now are two definite facts. The first of
these is how long she has had these bombs in her possession,
and how she procured them? She may possibly
be willing to tell you how long she has had them,
even if she still remains obstinately silent as to where
she got them. The second question, and of course
much the more important from our point of view, is
whether she knows of any other similar stores in
Witanbury or elsewhere? That, I need hardly tell
you, is of very vital moment to us, and I appeal to you
as an Englishwoman to help us in the matter."
"I will do as you wish," said Mrs. Guthrie in a low
voice. "But, Mr. Reynolds? Please forgive me for
asking you one thing. What will be done to my poor
old Anna? Will the fact that she is a German make
it better for her -- or worse? Of course I realise that
she has been wicked -- very, very wicked if what you
say is true----"
"And most treacherous to you!" interposed the
young man quickly. "You don't seem to realise, Mrs.
Guthrie, the danger in which she put you;" and as she
looked at him uncomprehendingly, he went on, "Putting
everything else aside, she ran the most appalling
danger of killing you -- you and every member of your
household. Of course I don't know what you mean to
say to her----" he hesitated. "I understand that your
relations with her have been much closer and more
kindly than are often those between a servant and her
employer," and as she nodded, he went on: "The Dean
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