At the police station the first man accused me of a violent attack, and the second man said he was a witness. I was locked
up untill the next magistrate's court, which was three days away. I could be released on bail, I was told, but how could I,
a total stranger in the town, find a responsible person willing to pay money for my temporary freedom? The whole plan
was now clear-to get me out of the way for three days, while Sir Percival did whatever was necessary to prevent his
secret being discovered.
At first I was too angry to think clearly. Then I remembered Mr. Dawson, the doctor. I had been to his house on my
previous visit to Blackwater, so I knew his address. I wrote him a letter, explaining what had happened and begging
for his help, and then asked for a messenger to deliver it. Two hours later the good doctor appeared, paid the required
money and I was set free.
There was no time to lose. The news of my being free would doubtless reach Sir Percival within hours. I hurried to the
lawyer's office, where I asked if I could see the copy of the Welmingham marriage register. Mr wansborough was a
pleasant man and agreed to show me the copy. In fact, he was quite amused. No one had asked to see it since his
father (now dead) had locked it away in the office more than twenty years before.