"What's all the row about, Mr Edeclog?" I asked.

"Row?" he asked. "Row enough, Master Jim. Two of the coastguards, who
were on duty yesterday afternoon, have disappeared. It's thought
there's been foul play."

My heart sank into my boots, my head swam, I could hardly stand
upright. All my thought was: "They have been killed. And all through
my telling Marah. And I'm a murderer."

I don't know how I could have got to the Rectory gate, had not the
militia captain come from the tavern at that moment. He mounted his
horse, called out a word of command, and the men under him moved off
towards Slapton at a quick trot.

"They have gone to beat the Lay banks," said some one, and then some
one laughed derisively.

I walked across to the Rectory and flung my satchel of books on to the
floor. The Rector's wife came into the hall as we entered. "Why, Jim,"
she said, "what is the matter? Aren't you well?"

"Not very," I answered.

"My dear," she cried to her husband, "Jim's not well. He looks as
though he'd seen a ghost, poor boy."

"Why, Jim," said the Rector, coming out of the sitting-room, "what's
the matter with you? Had too much jam for breakfast?"