It was close on six o'clock, and summer time had not yet begun.
Suddenly the Squire raised his head.
'That, I think, was the telephone ?' Elizabeth rose-- 'May I go?
It is probably Captain Dell.' She hurried away to her office-room, where the call-bell was insistently ringing.
'Yes--who is that ?' 'A telegram please--for Mr.Mannering--from London.' 'Wait a moment--I will tell Mr.Mannering.' But as she turned to go back to the library she saw the Squire had followed her, and was standing at the door.

He came forward at once and took up the receiver.
Elizabeth watched him with a fast beating pulse.

He heard the message, took out a pencil and wrote it down on a piece of paper lying near, put up the receiver, and turned to her.
'It is from Aubrey.

"Desmond is severely wounded.

Please come at once.