I was thoughtful.
"I'll come with you. I'll protect you," he said. "I don't need you with me."
"Very well. But it won't do for him to go about shouting all this." He tapped the letter. "I'll see him tonight. I'll explain." He nodded. To my surprise he did not pester me further.
I had made up my mind. I was going to see Jacob Cringle. I was going to tell him that I was not Susannah, that I had never known his brother Saul and that Susannah was dead. Perhaps that would satisfy him and ease his craving for revenge.
Then I was coming back and I was going to tell Malcolm the truth.
I felt a sense of relief. My mad masquerade was coming to an end. Whatever the price asked, I must pay it and bear whatever was coming to me, for I deserved it.
The day seemed as though it would never end. I was glad when it was time for dinner, though I could not eat. Garth, Emerald and I kept up some sort of conversation. I can't remember what I said but, whatever it was, it was very vague, I am sure. I was thinking all the time of what I was going to say to Jacob Cringle and most of all how I would tell Malcolm afterwards.
I dreaded the evening and yet I could not wait for it to come.
When the meal was over I hurried to my room and changed into my riding habit. It was half past eight and my rendezvous with Jacob Cringle was for nine o'clock. It would take me ten minutes to ride to the barn.
Janet came in. She was very distressed.
"You ought not to go," she said. "I don't like it."
"I must go, Janet," I told her. "I have to talk to Jacob Cringle. He must have an explanation. His brother died and he blames Susannah. I took her place ... and I feel I owe him an explanation."
"To write a letter like that... it's nothing short of blackmail and blackmailers are bad people."
"I don't think it is quite as simple as that. I think there is a difference in this case. Anyway, I've made up my mind."
As we stood there we heard the sound of a horse's hoofs below.
"That would be Malcolm," said Janet, looking at me steadily.
"I shall tell him tonight. As soon as I get back I shall tell him."
"Don't go," begged Janet urgently.
But I shook my head.
She stood still looking after me as I went out.
In the stables I mounted my horse. Malcolm's was there. So it was he who had just come in. One of the grooms would be coming soon to tend his horse, so I had to be quick.
I rode out of the stables. The barn looked eerie in moonlight. I had never got over my dread of the place since I had seen that horrible thing hanging there.
I tied up my horse and as I was doing so I heard the sound of a rider approaching. I thought it must be Jacob. I looked around me and someone was leaping down beside me. It was Garth.
"I'm coming with you," he said.
"But ..." I began.
"No buts," he commanded. "You can't handle this alone. You need help."
"I want no help."
"But you're going to get it whether you want it or not."
He took my arm. I tried to shrug him off but he held on firmly.
"Come on," he said.
The barn door creaked as we opened it. We went in. Jacob was there with the lantern. I saw that the scarecrow was still hanging from the rafters.
"So you've come, miss," said Jacob, and broke off when he saw that I was not alone.
"Yes," I said, "I came. I've come to tell you that you are mistaken."
"Not me, miss. You can't talk me out of this. My brother Saul killed himself, they say, but it was you what led him to it."
"No, no. I'm not Susannah Mateland. I am her half sister. I took her place."
Garth was gripping my arm so strongly that it hurt.
"Shut up, you little fool," he muttered.
Then he said loudly, blusteringly: "What's all this about, Cringle? You're trying to blackmail Miss Mateland."
"Miss Mateland ruined us when she lured my brother to his death. We lost heart then. I want a chance to start again ... that's all ... to build up the farm ... as she took him away from us, so she should give this to us."
"And what will you do, my good man, if I tell you that this night's work has lost you your farm?"
I caught my breath. "No ... no, that's not so... ."
"I'll tell you what I'd say," cried Jacob. "I'd say I'd make this place too hot to hold you two. I'd have you brought to justice."
"Do you know what you have done, Cringle?" murmured Garth lightly. "You have just signed your death warrant."
"What do you mean ... ?" began Jacob.
I screamed, for Garth had taken a pistol from his pocket and was pointing it at Jacob. But Jacob was too quick for him. He made a dash for Garth and caught the hand which held the weapon.
The two men struggled. I stood cowering against the wall.
Then the door opened and someone came in just as the pistol shot rang out. I stared in horror at the blood spattering the wall.
The pistol had fallen to the ground, and Jacob Cringle was staring at the body lying there.
It was Malcolm who had come in and the sight of him overwhelmed me with relief. He knelt beside Garth.
"He's dead," he said quietly.
There was a terrible silence in the barn. The light from the lantern shone on that macabre scene. From the rafters the horrible scarecrow dangled, his face turning towards us ... with the red gash in its face where the mouth should have been.
And on the floor lay Garth.
Jacob Cringle covered his face with his hands and began to sob. "I've killed him. I've killed him. I've done murder. 'Twas Satan's work."
Malcolm said nothing for a moment. I thought the terrible silence was going on and on. It was like a nightmare. I could not believe it was real. I was desperately hoping that I should wake up soon.
Then Malcolm spoke. "Something has to be done ... and quickly."
Jacob lowered his hands and stared at him. Malcolm was pale; he looked grim and determined.
"He's dead," he said. "There's no doubt of it."
"And I killed him," whispered Jacob. "Damned forever, I be."
"You killed him defending yourself," said Malcolm. "If you hadn't killed him he would have killed you. That's self-defense and no crime. We have to act quickly. Now listen to me, Jacob.
You've let your lust for revenge get the better of your good sense. You're a good man at heart, Jacob, and you'd be a better one if you were not so self-righteous. We've got to act at once. I've thought of this rather quickly, so it may have flaws. On the face of it, it seems it might work. You're going to help me."
"W-what, sir?"
"After tonight you shall have a lease on the farm for yourself and your children, and you shall have the equipment to make the farm prosperous again. This lady is not Miss Susannah Mateland. She has been masquerading as the owner of the castle. You will understand in due course. But there could be trouble. A man has been killed tonight and no matter how it happened there will be questions asked and blame attached. You and I are going to set fire to this barn, Jacob. We are going to wipe out all trace of what happened tonight. Well leave the lantern here among the hay. The fire has to seem accidental. Two people are going to appear to have died in the fire. Garth Larkham and this lady. This will be the end of Susannah Mateland as well as Garth Larkham."
He turned to me. "Listen carefully. You will go back to the castle, take as much money as you can lay your hands on. Take my horse, not your own. Leave yours here. Try not to be seen, but if you are, act naturally. Don't let it be seen that you are riding my horse, so don't take it to the stables. Tether it in the woods while you return to the castle. When you have taken the money come back to my horse and ride to Denborough station. It is a distance of twenty miles. Stay at the inn there and leave my horse. I will collect it tomorrow. Take the train to London. There is one at six in the morning. And when you are in London you will assume your real identity ... and lose yourself."