They had just reached the bedroom door when they heard soft footfalls behind them and turned in alarm, thinking one of the villains might have entered the house. ‘Oh, Tom!’ Beth gasped. ‘You gave us a fright.’ ‘Sorry, Miss Langton.’ His face was aglow with excitement. ‘I got a message for his lordship.’ ‘I’m not sure he should be disturbed,’ Helen told the boy. ‘He has been hurt rather badly.’ ‘I know, but Mr Edgemont said I was to tell him they’d caught both the men. He might rest easy if he knows that, he said.’ ‘Ah, that’s different – and good news indeed. Open the door for us, Tom, and you had better come in with us.’ ‘Yes, Miss Langton.’ He slid in front of them and pushed the door open after knocking softly first. The doctor and James were playing chess when they walked in. Beth shook her head. ‘I thought your patient was supposed to be resting?’ The doctor shrugged. ‘This was the only way I could keep him in bed. Good, you’ve brought us some food; we are very hungry.’ Tom edged forward, bobbing his head to the men.
