Diana desperately wanted to know Anne's plan but Anne needed to rush home else Marilla would worry. Anne had already been gone too long, so she promised to fill Diana in the following day. Anne watched Diana walk up the steps to the manor and felt a small weight lift off of her shoulders. Surely Diana would be safe there, with so many people around.

Anne said goodbye to her friend and watched her approach the front door. Diana looked back when she reached the steps and gave her friend a reassuring smile. Anne knew there wasn't much to smile about, not with the danger around every corner and the terrible things they'd been through but it was good to know that Diana was not backing down in the threat of an attack.

When Anne was riding home her mind turned again to Gilbert. She wondered if Detective Ellwyn was paying more mind to Gil than he did to Anne. It was highly likely, people tended to like Gilbert more than they liked Anne. Anne felt that the whole world was currently working against her and there was more use Gilbert trying to get through to the Detective than her. Despite this, there was no use wallowing in self-pity. Anne had a plan.

Anne had ridden the cart all the way to the White Way of Delight, not far from Green Gables when she heard somebody calling her name. It was Marilla. Anne turned and saw her guardian riding their second horse, James up the road behind her.

"Anne! Where have you been?" She scolded. Marilla rode up beside Anne and stared at the girl with a disgruntled expression.

"I've been to Detective Ellwyn's office. I finished my interview then I visited my friends." Anne said.

"Why weren't you at school today? I assumed you'd go to the interview before school." Marilla frowned. "I have just been to the school to speak with Mr Kaine about the troubling matter of your schooling. You weren't there and hadn't attended today."

Anne swallowed hard. Marilla had found out that Anne no longer went to school. Anne had concealed this from her for so long, she had almost forgotten to keep up the facade. She hadn't spoken about school in a long time, she used to make stories up about things that were happening at school to keep up the act but she had been so distracted lately she didn't think of it.

"Now, I know you've had some time off for your injury to heal but if you're well enough to ride all around Avonlea seeing friends then you're quite well enough to attend school." Marilla said curtly.

"I'm sorry I didn't go today, I didn't feel up to it. I was overcome by the most excruciating headaches--" Anne began.

"Don't talk to me about headaches." Marilla snapped. "Mr Kaine told me you haven't been to school in over a year. This means you've been lying to me and to Mathew, you've even roped Diana into your lies. I'm very ashamed of you, Anne."

Anne flushed dark red and her heart dropped. She felt ashamed, too. She was so cross with herself. Marilla meant a lot to her, as did her opinion of her. When Marilla was cross with Anne she felt that her world had ended and she'd never feel loved again.

"I'm desperately sorry, Marilla." Anne felt a lump in her throat.

Marilla looked down at the redhead, shame and confusion still running hot through her veins. She was upset that Anne had lied and corrupted Diana and that she had to hear about it from the detested Detective Ellwyn and the new highly-unlikeable teacher Mr Kaine. But Marilla was most upset that Anne felt that she had to conceal this from Marilla.

"There had to be a reason for this. I cannot believe you lied this well and this long for no reason." Marilla said briskly. "Tell me why you lied."

Anne's lip was wobbling. "Oh Marilla, it was really nothing bad. I swear - the good kind, not the bad kind. I only lied so you wouldn't worry. I couldn't go to school and better myself all the while Mathew was struggling every day and you were taking on extra work and all for the sake of keeping a roof over my undeserving head."

"What is the meaning of all this?" Marilla demanded. She didn't like to see Anne emotional.

"I took on extra shifts at the library and I've been saving up all my earnings. I was intending to give you all my savings at Christmas as a surprise but you found out and now you hate me and none of it matters anymore as I'll surely be heading back to the orphanage." Anne said, not without drama.

"Oh stop this nonsense at once!" Marilla sighed. "You won't be sent anywhere, so do cease the theatrics. We agreed to keep you no matter what happened, even if you did lie so shamefully. It is a great sin you have committed and I am very aggrieved of your behaviour. But I will not write you off so willingly. You will make amends for your terrible actions and there will be punishment."

"Of course, Marilla. My dear Marilla. I'm so sorry, you deserve a much better orphan, one who would never do such a hateful thing as lie." Anne felt a great deal of self-pity at that time, despite her earlier feelings that there was no point to it.

Marilla rolled her eyes. Anne was so excessive, no situation could ever be handled without emotion. Marilla found it exhausting sometimes. But all was in the open now, she felt better. Anne was lying, although Marilla thought it was a very kind idea to save up and help support the family and Green Gables by working extra. But Marilla didn't like the reality of Anne not attending school and missing crucial parts of education that Marilla herself gave up the chance of for the sake of her family. She didn't want Anne to repeat her mistakes and regrets.

"There is another matter," Marilla said.

Anne looked up from where she was wallowing in the depths of despair.

"I spoke with Detective Ellwyn and he informed me that there was a boy there the night you were attacked... Named Joseph Bines." Marilla said. Anne's blood always seemed to run cold at the sound of his dreaded name. "You didn't tell me there was a new arrival in town, or that he had joined school. I see now this is because you didn't know due to not being at school. But why didn't you tell me that he was there that night?"

Anne hesitated. She didn't want to lie again. She was tired of hiding the truth and upsetting the people she loved. But she would be putting Marilla in danger telling her anything. Joseph had proven that he was just around the corner listening and watching when she least expected it and he followed through with threats.

"I just forgot, it didn't seem relevant." Anne murmured. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Well, are you two friends?" Marilla asked.

"No," Anne said. "I'm not friends with Joseph."

Marilla nodded. She was glad, Joseph didn't sound like a very decent fellow. "Well, now I believe you should come home and apologise to Mathew for lying. I think an early night is a good idea, then you can go back to school tomorrow."

Anne sighed dramatically. She would do as she was told but she'd be sure to let Marilla know how dreadfully sad about doing it she was.

"If you insist."

Anne didn't want to go back to school, as much as she missed it she had things she needed to do during the day that were urgent. They'd have to wait. She just prayed that Joseph would hold out his horrible plans for a short while until she had time to initiate her ideas of thwarting him.

...

"I see that you have reservations telling me these things." Said Detective Ellwyn.

He was sitting at his usual spot behind his desk, fixing Gilbert Blythe with an unemotional stare. Gilbert sat in the chair previously occupied by Anne in her interview. Gilbert was decidedly less anxious, sat there he held Detective Ellwyn's stare. He was confident and determined.

"I do, as I have been threatened. You have to understand that I am in great danger, as are people who I care a lot about." Gilbert thought about Anne and her grey eyes. He leant forward and looked at the Detective seriously. "You must promise me that you will protect us and do everything in your power to bring the real threat to justice."

"You have my word." The Detective said.

"The boy named Joseph Bines was there the night of the robbery. Anne told me that Joseph attacked the riders of the Barry wagon and she was hurt in the crossfire. Anne told me that after that the wagon crashed she was knocked out and was dazed the rest of the night, barely able to move. But she walked on and me and our friend Diana found Anne and took her to a local farm to get help. The Tilderlys owned the farm and Mrs Tilderly saved Anne's life. Shortly after, Joseph managed to get to Anne and he threatened her that if she told anyone about the robbery and attack and what he did then he would kill her family and friends. She was too afraid of retaliation from him to speak up about what she witnessed. She finally confessed to me and Diana what had truly happened and not long after, I was attacked by Joseph. He did this to me."

Gilbert gestured to his neck. The Detective had been listening raptly, watching the boy speak and noting any signs that what he said was a lie or whether it was the truth. He had a strange feeling that Gilbert was telling the truth.

"Anne was terribly afraid of being sent away, especially after the evidence surfaced that tied her to the robbery and the chest that was found." Gilbert told him. "But Joseph planted them evidence there, he wanted Anne to be blamed so he could escape. He has a plan to frame Anne and it's working. Everybody thinks she is guilty but she's honestly not."

Gilbert fell into silence then, hoping his passionate words would be enough to finally get Detective Ellwyn on their side. He couldn't tell if the man believed him. They looked at each other, the boy exhausted and desperate and the man unmoving and calculating.

After what seemed like an age, Detective Ellwyn finally spoke.

"I'm going to call in Joseph Bines for questioning.

...

As soon as Anne arrived at Green Gables she went into the barn where Mathew was working. He was shaving a large post for a fence. He was happy to see Anne, he looked up and smiled at the small redhead he was so fond of.

"Hello Mathew. I'm sorry to interrupt your important work this afternoon but I've come by order of Marilla to apologise." Anne said gravely.

"Whatever for?" Mathew felt slightly unsettled.

Had something terrible happened that he was supposed to be upset about? Mathew was not the most likely to be aware of the goings on in Avonlea but he usually heard the important things from Marilla after she saw the gossip Rachel Lynde. He also liked to think that he usually knew what was going on with his Anne, as he was a confident of hers.

"I've lied to you and to Marilla." Anne was most solemn.

"Well now, about what?" Mathew put down his chisel, a slight frown worrying his face.

"I haven't attended school in over a year. I've lied about going and I've roped Diana into my lies, I've told stories about things which happened at school when truly I've not been in a long time." Anne bit her lip, silently begging Mathew not to be angry with her. "I know I have done a terrible agreviance to you and Marilla and brought shame. I will bear whatever severe yet ultimately just punishment Marilla will settle upon me. I know you've had trials raising me, I should try to be more angelically good... I honestly wish I was, I just forget to be often. I hope you will not forsake me until the end of your days."

Mathew gazed at Anne.

"Well now, I dunno about all that. Lying is not a right thing to do, it's true." He spoke slowly, focusing on the words. "But I'm sure there was a good reason."

"Oh I'm not so sure it was a good reason. I lied about it because I didn't want Marilla to worry so." Anne explained. "I hated to see you both struggling and working so hard when I could take on extra shifts at the library and earn more to help support us. I was planning on giving you both all of my savings and be of good use."

Mathew smiled then, his small shy smile with the twinkle in his kind eyes. He had a great deal of love and admiration for Anne. For her courage and spirit and way with words but most of all for her endless kindness and compassion. She was so good, deep in her heart there was only love. Mathew never doubted her for a second and he truly believed he'd never met somebody as good as her. It was a relief to know she only lied for a good reason and also a confirmation of what Mathew already firmly believed.

"I could never forsake someone as kind as you, Anne." Mathew said softly.

Anne's heart melted and she felt her body crumble in relief. She fell into Mathew's arms. "I thought you'd be furious." She muffled against his soft shirt.

"I don't think it's in my nature to feel something so strong as fury." Chuckled Mathew quietly.

He held the small girl in a warm hug, both of them finding comfort in the reassuring embrace. Anne was so grateful to have Mathew. She had a fleeting thought of Joseph hurting Mathew or Marilla and her eyes filled with tears. She clung onto her guardian, her resolve to stop the Bines boy hardened and strengthened.

...

That evening Anne was collecting firewood in the back yard, softly humming to herself. She was thinking hard about her plans for the following day. She would go to Guardinia Cottage and meet whoever was living with Joseph. There had be somebody, he could not have enrolled into school without a guardian.

Anne was going to find out anything she could about the boy. She was going to find something that would bring him down. She knew he couldn't be this bad all of a sudden, she was certain he had done these things before and she'd find the victims and the catastrophes he left in his wake and she would drag it all up from the shadows as evidence against him.

Anne also had to go back to school so her investigation would have to wait until after. She'd return Gilbert's cart too. She was looking forward to seeing him again. Something stirred in her chest at the thought of seeing the Blythe boy.

Just as Anne reached down to pick up a log she heard the snap of a twig. Anne spun around. Joseph Bines was standing there in the evening mist. His golden curls were messy and had a strangely angelic glow to them. He was handsome like a heavenly demon in the dark violet evening. Anne's breath caught in her throat for fear.

"Joseph." Anne whispered. She was frozen.

Joseph stood yards away, hands in his pockets, the collar of his long coat turned up. His eyes were black and his lips turned slightly up in amusement.

"Hello, Anne." He spoke softly, velvety soft like a wolf's pur. "I hope you received my message."

Joseph lifted his fingers and brushed them slowly over his neck. Anne could suddenly see Gilbert bruised and brave in her mind's eye. Her heart stirred in a protective anger and a righteous indignation.

"How could you do such an evil thing?" Anne's words were cold and quiet.

"I always keep my word." Joseph said cruelly. "I hope your little guard dog has learnt his lesson now. I'll be checking in with him again soon to make sure he hasn't blabbed but I've been a little busy of late. Have you heard?"

Anne frowned. "Heard what?"

"I've been paying visit to houses all over Avonlea. I've planted evidence linking to you in each house in place of valuable items the families will sorely miss." Joseph chuckled lightly.

Anne's heart dropped. "But they will know it wasn't me. I haven't been in anyone's houses--"

"Well, they've all heard about you and the things you stole from Mr Barry... It's the talk of the town, the school, everyone." Joseph shrugged. "I just thought I'd give them something to really talk about. The Mantleyews, the Burns, the Cuttles, the Frailles, they'll all be noticing their missing things soon enough. It's only a matter of time."

Anne felt her heart leaping in her throat as panic rose up through her body.

"Not that you have a whole lot of time left..." Joseph smiled.

Then he walked briskly away and disappeared into the woods. Anne stood there, her heart hammering and a rushing in her ears as her breathing became ragged. Anne fell to the ground, her weak knees sinking into the soft earth and the firewood tumbling from her hands. Every time she thought she had a chance, Joseph was one step ahead, making things harder.

All of those families would think she was responsible for stealing their things... she'd have to go to the houses and find the evidence that he'd left. But what did he have that would link her to the robberies? More pieces of her dress? That was at the bottom of the Lake of Shining Waters. She'd find out soon enough.

Anne gazed up at the moon, the thousands of twinkling peaceful stars and the inky blue night. She counted the pointed pine trees which spiked up the skyline like swords guarding the treasures of space, glittering with secrets. Anne wished she was a star, high above earthly troubles. She wished she was safe.

...

The next morning Anne was up bright and early, walking through the woods planning her route that night. Joseph had discouraged her but it wouldn't stop her. She would visit all of the houses which Joseph spoke of, find the evidence he had left and leave before they knew she was there. She'd go when everyone was out at the local market that afternoon after school. Everybody went to it, save the very old who couldn't leave their beds. The houses would all be empty.

Anne was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't see Gilbert appear up a side path, bag over his shoulder, cap on his head. He was glad to see Anne, walking up the very path he'd first seen her. Her fiery red hair was streaming loose down her back, hanging in waves made by her usual plaits. She was clearly caught up in her head, she didn't hear him.

"Anne." Gilbert said. "Anne."

He touched her shoulder. Anne gasped and whipped around, fists ready, eyes wide. Gilbert's hands went up in defence, not doubting Anne to throw her hands out in attack. He should not have approached from behind, not when she was so jumpy.

"Hey, it's me." Gilbert spoke soothingly. "It's only me. You're safe."

Anne blinked, relaxing slightly. Her shoulders slouched and she rolled her eyes, sighing in irritation. She shoved Gilbert's chest lightly before tossing her hair back and continuing her brisk walk.

"Gilbert Blythe! You should not sneak up on girls like that." Anne scolded.

Gilbert followed Anne like a puppy. "I'm sorry. I am, Anne." He said,  walking fast to catch up and keep pace beside the tempestuous girl.

"Where are you going?" Anne asked him. "School?"

Gilbert bit his lip. "I was actually, uh... I was on my way to see you." He scratched the back of his head shyly. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Well, I'm not." Anne said bluntly. "He came again last night. Joseph, to Green Gables."

Gilbert looked shocked and afraid. "I leave you for a few hours and he gets to you. I knew it was a mistake! If he hurt--"

"No, Gil listen. Joseph told me that he'd visited houses and taken valuable things and left evidence of me being there to frame me for the thefts!" Anne explained, words hushed but charged with emotion.

"He's trying to back up the rumours." Gilbert said angrily. "Remember what the doctor said, about people reporting things missing all over... it was Joseph who took them."

"What rumours?" Anne felt anxious now.

Was the whole town really talking about her being a thief? School suddenly seemed a thousand times less appealing than it already did. She wanted to turn around and run all the way back home.

"Everyone is saying you were responsible for the Barry incident. It's only because of what they've heard. Anne, it doesn't matter what people say." Gilbert knew Anne was insecure about people not liking her.

"Oh Gilbert how will I ever face people at school?" Anne mourned.

"You're going back to school? I heard you hadn't been in over a year." Gilbert was shocked.

"Marilla commanded me to. I cannot disobey her again." Anne sighed. "She found out I wasn't going, she was furious."

Gilbert nodded sympathetically. "Why weren't you going? I mean before all this happened..."

Anne bit her lip. Here we go again, she thought. "I was working. I wanted to save up money to help Marilla and Mathew with the debt. They're struggling."

Gilbert knew how it felt to watch your family struggling on your behalf and not being able to help them, he would have jumped at any chance of giving something back to them or making a difference. He understood why Anne did it.

"Marilla would have worried so much. She was already unhappy about me working evenings and weekends, she told me I was too young." Anne said. "Even though I wasn't too young to work when Mrs Hammond needed me to keep the house and look after her children! I don't understand how I'm too young now but I wasn't then."

"The difference is, Mrs Hammond didn't care about you, she took advantage of you." Said Gilbert. "Marilla cares about you. You shouldn't have to work manual labour every day at your age."

"You're not so much older than me and you worked on a steamer." Anne said fiercely.

Gilbert chuckled. "You're right." He admitted.

"I will bring your cart back later." Anne told him, remembering.

"No rush." Gilbert said.

"I'm dreading school. I'm going to be so far behind." Anne murmured dejectedly.

"I'll come with you." Decided Gilbert suddenly.

"Don't come with me out of pity. I can face the lions alone." Anne rolled her eyes.

"I have no doubt that you can," Gilbert agreed. "But I should return to school too. I'm behind same as you. I was going to get a new job at the docks when I got back to Avonlea but perhaps it is a good idea to finish my education while I have the opportunity. We're still young, there's plenty of time to work for both of us."

"If I had the chance of not going to school I'd grab it like gold dust." Anne lamented. "You're lucky to have the choice. I have so many things I urgently need to do. Instead I'll be tormented by Avonlea's brightest and best."

"As soon as school is over we can go to those houses and take the evidence before they notice more things missing and discover the link to you." He reassured her.

"Gilbert, I have a plan. I am going to uncover all of the terrible things Joseph has done in his past to prove what a dangerous person he is. I'm going to Guardinia Cottage where he lives and find out everything I can about him."

Gilbert's memory was suddenly triggered.

"That's it! God, it was knocked right out of my head -- Anne I remembered. I knew Joseph from somewhere before he came to Avonlea. He was on the steamer from New York."

"Truly?" Anne was shocked.

"Anne, I heard some things - bad things about him... for a while I couldn't place him although something rang a bell. I finally remembered and I was just about to come to tell you when he attacked me yesterday. Anne, I believe that a man I know from the steamer still works on the docks... If I go there after school I could talk to him and get as much information as I can about Joseph. This man seemed to know a great deal..."

"Yes. You must! Oh, Gilbert this has given me some hope." Anne said. "Tell me, how did it go with Detective Ellwyn?"

"Well, I told him everything. He told me he was going to call Joseph in for an interview." Gilbert told Anne. "I'm not certain he believes me but I did my best."

"Thank you." Anne said. She stopped walking and stood looking at Gilbert. She was so glad they were friends now. "We must tell Diana. She was dying to know my plan last night and was terribly worried for you. Oh Gil, what will people say about your bruises?"

Gilbert looked at Anne and smiled mischievously. "They won't say anything."

Gilbert reached forward and tugged Anne's grey scarf from around her neck. He strung it around his throat and tied it so it concealed the dark flush of damaged skin. It was soft and smelt of grass and spring flowers and old books and freshly picked apples. It smelt like Anne.

"Although they might gossip about me wearing your scarf." Gilbert teased.

Anne smiled slightly and rolled her eyes, walking away down the birch path. He'd do anything to make her smile even if it was teasing. Gilbert grinned after her, giddy to finally be friends with the girl he adored.