Come back as soon as you can. We have had to move. Come to Gower’s Walk, Fulham (number five). I will look out for you. Don’t be alarmed about us, we are both safe and well. But come back-Marian
What had happened? What dreadful thing had Count Fosco Done while I was away? In spite of my anxiety, I had to wait. I paid my bill at the hotel and took a cab to Knowlesbury.
At the police station, as I expected, no one appeared to continue the action against me and I was allowed to go. Half an hour later I was on the train back to London.
I got to Gower’s Walk in Fulham at about nine o’clock. Both Laura and Marian came to the door to let me in. Laura was much brighter and happier, full of plans for the future and for her drawing and painting. Marian’s face was tired and anxious. I could see that she had spared Laura the knowledge of the terrible death in Welmingham and the true reason for moving to new lodgings. When Laura had left us and we could speak freely, I tried to give some expression to my feelings and told Marian how much I admired her for the courage and love she had shown.
She was too generous to listen to me, and turned the conversation to my worries.
‘I’m so sorry for my letter-it must have alarmed you.’
‘Yes, it did,’ I admitted. ‘Was I right in thinking that you moved because of a threat by Count Fosco?’
‘Perfectly right,’ she said. ‘I saw him yesterday, and worse than that, Walter-I spoke to him.’
‘Spoke to him? Did he come to the house?’