He had an impulse almost of flight, as if in this way he could escape a certainty he feared.

What certainty?
Perhaps he could not have answered had he been asked.

His mind was in a turmoil.

He had feelings--instincts; that was all.
The lawyer, noting his condition, undertook the leadership of affairs.
Beckoning Mr.Goodenough into Mr.Ransom's room, he softly closed the door upon the many inquiring ears about, and, assuming the manner most likely to encourage the unsophisticated but straightforward looking man with whom he had to deal, quietly observed: "We hear that you met this morning a young girl going towards the Ferry.
There is great reason why we should know just how this young girl looks.
A lady disappeared from here last night, and though, from a letter she left behind her, we have every reason to believe that her body is somewhere in the river, yet we don't want to overlook the possibility of her having escaped alive in another direction.

Can you describe the person you saw ?" "Wa'al, I'm not much good at talk," was the embarrassed, almost halting reply.