CHAPTER SEVEN F: A ROAD WITH TWO ENDS
Martha waited beside the abandoned kiln while Jonah inspected the mule’s harness.
Caleb had returned to the village with the objects found beneath the cottage floor.
Elias approached from the orchard and stopped when he saw two unfamiliar horses tied beyond the wall.
“Whose horses are those?” he asked.
Jonah looked toward the road.
“The constable’s men,” he replied.
“They have been asking about a missing child.”
“Hannah?”
“They did not give a name.”
Martha pulled the shawl tighter around her shoulders.
“We cannot use the north road tonight,” she said.
“There is a crossing where the constable can stop every wagon.
”
Elias looked at the mule and the small cart.
“Then we need another road.”
Jonah shook his head.
“There are paths through the woods, but your mother cannot walk them in the dark.”
“She will not leave without me,” Elias said.
“And I will not leave without her.”
Martha rested her hand on the cart rail.
“Nobody is asking you to choose between those things,” she said.
“We are asking you to think before the sun goes down.”
Elias told them about the stolen blanket and the questions at the mill.
Jonah listened without interrupting.
“Thomas is afraid that people will learn what happened here,
” Jonah said.
“He may decide to keep everyone close until the story disappears.”
“He cannot keep it from spreading forever,” Martha replied.
“He can keep people from leaving tonight,” Elias said.
A rustle came from the orchard, and all three turned.
Ruth emerged from the trees with a small sack of bread.
She stopped when she saw the mule.
“The master has ordered the north gate closed,” she said.
“The stable hands are to report every wagon that passes.”
Jonah cursed under his breath.
“That leaves the lower ford,” he said.
Martha shook her head.
“The ford is too deep after last night’s rain.
”
Elias remembered a path behind the old kiln where bricks had once been carried to the west wing.
The path ran between a dry stone wall and the abandoned garden.
It was narrow but wide enough for a handcart.
“There is a service lane behind the kiln,” he said.
“It reaches the road beyond the orchard.”
Jonah looked doubtful.
“The cart will not fit beneath the old arch.”
“The arch has fallen,” Elias answered.
“The wall is low enough to cross if we lift the wheels.”
Martha studied him.
“You worked there as a child.”
“I know where the ground is firm.
”
Jonah walked toward the ruined kiln to inspect the route.
Ruth stayed beside Elias and lowered her voice.
“Thomas has sent for the estate physician,” she said.
“He says Adelaide must remain in bed.”
“Is she ill?”
“She is frightened and exhausted, but she is not helpless.”
“Will he let her speak?”
“He has already told the house that she is confused.”
Elias looked back toward the mansion.
“Then he is preparing to deny what she said last night.”
Ruth nodded.
“He has ordered the servants not to discuss the cottage.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him I would finish my work.
”
Elias gave a tired smile.
“That was not an answer.”
“It was the only one I could give without lying.”
Jonah returned from the kiln with mud on his boots.
“The lane is narrow, but we can manage it,” he said.
“We will move the cart before sunset and hide it behind the old wall.”
Martha looked at Elias.
“You and your mother must be ready when the moon rises.”
Elias nodded.
He could not know whether the road would remain clear or whether the master would change his orders again.
He knew only that waiting for certainty would leave them trapped until morning.
The three of them separated before the bell rang for the midday meal.
Elias carried the blanket back to his mother and began to prepare for the night.
