John and Margaret soon realized that they should not stay alone in the study any longer so they left hand in hand and ascended the stairs to the drawing room. Just before reaching the door they let go of each other.

They had decided that John would come tomorrow to speak with Mr. Hale as he would be too care worn and weary this evening. Sure enough when they stepped into the drawing room they found Mr. Hale fast asleep in his easy chair by the fire.

Margaret lovingly tucked a blanket around her father and then accompanied John to the door.

They turned toward each other and John took Margaret's hand. After looking into her eyes for a long moment he said, "I will come by tomorrow morning after I see Inspector Mason. I will speak to your father then."

Margaret nodded. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.

Margaret said breathlessly, "Thank you for coming today. Thank you for everything." She gave him a glorious smile.

"It was my pleasure," he replied then donning his hat and coat he opened the door, gave her one last smouldering look, and left.

…oOo….

He had hardly gone ten steps in the street, before a passing omnibus stopped close by him, and a man got down, and came up to him, touching his hat as he did so.

It was the police-inspector. "My name is Mason —George Mason , sir, that you got—"

"Ah, yes! I spoke with you this morning," replied Mr. Thornton.

"Yes, sir. It is on a little matter of business I made so bold as to speak to you now," Mason explained, "You were the magistrate who attended to take down the deposition of a poor man who died in the Infirmary last night."

"Yes," replied Mr. Thornton. "I went and heard some kind of a rambling statement. I'm afraid he was but a drunken fellow. What about him?"

"Why, sir, his death is oddly mixed up with somebody in the house I saw you coming out of just now; it was a Mr. Hale's, I believe," stated Mason.

"Yes! What about it?" said Mr. Thornton, affecting to feign ignorance.

"Why, sir, I have got a pretty distinct chain of evidence, inculpating a gentleman who was walking with Miss Hale that night at the Outwood station, as the man who struck or pushed Leonards off the platform and so caused his death. But the young lady denies that she was there at the time," the inspector related.

"Miss Hale denies she was there!" repeated Mr. Thornton. He figured he needed to sound authentic to be believable.

"You see, sir, there is like to be a coroner's inquest, and..."

Finally Mr. Thornton interrupted him, "I don't think it will go that far. I spoke with the surgeon this morning and he was not certain that it was a death by violence. I await the coroner's report," said Mr. Thornton. "Don't take any steps till you have seen me again."

"The young lady will expect me to call, from what I said," worried the inspector.

"I only want to delay you until the morning," Mr. Thornton replied, "Come to my warehouse at nine."

"Very well, sir!" said Mason.

They parted company and Mr. Thornton hurried home, slightly anxious but extremely happy.

….oOo…..

John woke the next morning at his usual early hour. In addition to his regular attire he wore a band of black crepe around his arm for Mrs. Hale. The first thing he did, even before eating breakfast, was dispatch a note to the coroner requesting his report on the Leonards case.

When he joined his mother for breakfast she could perceive a change in him. There was a lightness in his step and the ghost of a smile on his face. The black crepe did not go unnoticed either.

Daring to inquire about his good humor, however obliquely, she said, "Is there good news, John?"

John, not wanting to lie to his mother yet not prepared to tell her all either, at least not until everything was settled, replied, "I'm not sure yet. Hopefully I will know by this afternoon."

"And the black band?" she asked, wary of the answer.

"The Hale's are my friends," was his reply.

This told his mother much more than he intended. She had expected him to sidestep the daughter entirely and only name his friendship with the father. By implying friendship with them both he was admitting to something more. Unfortunately there was no time to inquire further for he immediately arose, and giving his mother a peck on the cheek he made for the door.

….oOo….

It was not until half past eight that Mr. Thornton received the coroner's report. With many apologies for its tardiness the report went on to explain that Leonards had indeed died of an internal complaint brought on by his penchant for alcohol. The fall off the train station platform had caused some scrapes and bruises but that was all.

Mr. Thornton was relieved. Mason would arrive shortly and as magistrate he could have the inspector close the case with no trouble at all. He would be done with Mason by half past nine and in Crampton by ten.