ER XXXIII

KEEPING FAITH

It was not until Sandy was actually in the express heading for London
that he realised quite all the difficulties which lay ahead. He was
just a big-hearted, impulsive boy, and, without wasting time in futile
blame or vain regrets, he had plunged straight into the maelstrom which
had engulfed his pal, determined to help her back to shore.

But, assuming he was right in his surmise that Rooke would take Nan
first of all to London, he doubted his own ability to persuade her to
return with him, and even if he were successful in this, there still
remained the outstanding fact that by no human means could she reach
Mallow until the small hours of the morning. He could well imagine the
consternation and scandal which would ensue should she arrive back at
the Court about five o'clock A.M.!

In a place like Mallow, where there was a large staff of indoor and
outdoor servants, it would be practically impossible to secure Nan's
return there unobserved. And as far as the neighbourhood--and Roger
Trenby--were concerned, she might just as well run away with Maryon
Rooke as return with Sandy McBain at that ungodly hour! She would be
equally compromised. Besides, Kitty would have informed her household
that she was not expecting Miss Davenant back that night.

Sandy began to see that the plans which he and Kitty had hastily thrown
together in the dire emergency of the moment might serve well enough by
way of temporary cover, but that in the long run they would rather
complicate matters. Lies would have to be bolstered up with other
lies. For example, what was he to do with Nan if he succeeded in
persuading her to return? Where was she really to spend the night? It
looked as though a veritable tissue of deceit must be woven if she were
to be shielded from the consequences of her mad act. And Sandy was not
a bit of good at telling lies. He hated them.

Suddenly into his harassed mind sprang the thought of Mallory. Of all
men in the world, surely he, who loved Nan, would find a way to save
her!

From the moment this idea took hold of him Sandy felt as though part of
the insuperable load of trouble and anxiety had been lifted from his
shoulders. His duty was now quite simple and straightforward. When he
reached down he had only to seek out Peter, lay the whole matter before
him, and then in some way or other he believed that Nan's errant feet
would be turned from the dangerous path on which