In Trevannic, the ladies and Wilfred Mead sat down to dinner. Eggs were ready to be boiled as soon as Jakob returned. Not having lunched, he would be hungry. But he did not come.

Had there been an accident? Was someone jealous of his celebrity status in the village, exchanged words with him and scared him away? Had Jakob continued his voyage to America? They rejected one theory after another. By dinnertime Janet and Jill were so anxious that they postponed the meal.

Dorcas came into the drawing room periodically to report deterioration of their unconsumed dinner. But the sisters could not be persuaded to eat without Jakob. With every hour that passed, they grew terrified something bad had happened. On behalf of the ladies, Wilfred Mead drove into the village. He despatched Jan Pendered on foot and Joe Gullow on his bicycle, to search all the places Jakob frequented.

Wilfred Mead returned to find Jill looking as if she had seen a ghost. "That young woman lives there."

"Who," asked bemused Dr. Mead.

"Miss Daniloff," Jill replied.

"Where," asked an even more perplexed Janet.

"Polwern, it's where Jakob said he was going this morning."

Janet felt as if a cold hand was on her shoulder, "He never spoke to Miss Daniloff on the two occasions she came here," Janet said trying to dismiss her sister's fears.

"Just as she came here uninvited, it is possible she sought out Jakob when he was working on the gardens, or on his solitary walks," said Jill.

"I would not be surprised if she did that," concurred Janet.

"He could return any moment now," piped Dr. Mead.

The sisters decided to walk out and stand patiently by the gate.

They waited for any of the messengers Dr. Mead sent out to return.

November 6, 2015

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