CHAPTER SEVEN K: A MAN WHO COULD NOT NAME HIS ORDERS

The man beyond the wall stepped into the moonlight with both hands empty.
Elias recognized him as the hired worker who had searched the north cottage.
His coat was torn at one shoulder, and his boots were caked with pale clay.
“Where is Ralston?” Elias asked.
“At the house,” the man answered.
“He sent me to watch the road.”
Martha moved closer to Elias without touching him.
“Then why are you speaking to us?” she asked.
The man glanced toward the mansion.
“Because he told me to fetch a girl who has done nothing to him.

”
“What is your name?” Elias asked.
“Peter Hale.”
“Do you know where the girl lives?”
Peter shook his head.
“I was given a direction to follow another rider, but I turned back when I heard what he intended.”
Martha studied him.
“What did he intend?”
“He wanted the girl brought to the cottage until the mistress agreed to speak in front of her husband.”
Elias felt anger rise in his chest.
“He wanted a child held here as a threat.”
Peter lowered his eyes.
“Yes.”
“And you agreed to help him?” Martha asked.
“I took his wages before he told me the whole plan.

”
“You could have refused when you learned,” Elias said.
“I am refusing now,” Peter replied.
Martha looked unconvinced.
“You have a horse, a shovel, and a rope,” she said.
“You could also be here to lead us into the cottage.”
Peter looked toward the dark arch.
“Then do not follow me.”
He took a folded strip of paper from his coat and placed it on the wall.
“These are the directions he gave me,” he said.
“Take them to someone who can warn the family.”
Elias did not touch the paper.
“Why should we believe you?”
Peter met his gaze.


“You should not believe me because I say I have changed my mind.”
“Then what do you expect?” Elias asked.
“I expect you to watch what I do next.”
Peter walked to the lane and untied his horse from a sapling.
He led it toward the open road without mounting.
“I will wait by the north gate until Thomas comes out,” he said.
“I will tell him what Ralston ordered.”
Martha stepped forward.
“Thomas may punish you for accusing the man he employed.”
“I know,” Peter said.
“He may also decide that I am telling the truth.”
“And if he does not?” Elias asked.


Peter looked at the house.
“Then you will have heard me refuse before I leave.”
He walked away with the horse.
Martha watched him until the trees concealed him.
“He may be telling the truth,” she said.
“He may also be frightened of being caught.”
Elias picked up the paper and passed it to Ruth, who had joined them at the wall.
“Keep this away from the house until Jonah returns,” he said.
“It may help us warn Beatrice’s family.”
Ruth tucked it into her apron.
“Thomas is asking for everyone who was at the cottage,” she said.
“Adelaide has gone to speak to him.

”
Elias looked toward the upper windows.
“Then we should hear what she says,” he replied.
“We should not let her speak for us,” Martha warned.
“I do not intend to,” Elias said.
They followed the garden path toward the house, leaving the warm lantern on the wall where Peter had placed it.