He watched the constable longer than he should. The same familiar feeling of affection took over this time as well. But he noticed something else as well, and he wasn't certain whether to be relieved or sad. The thought of Elijah Crane had stirred up more temptation and confusion all these weeks than the man of flesh and blood before him now did.

"No... no, I'm fine," he said after a pause. I did not see him last night, and Mrs. Higgins believes he never slept in his room last night. He..." How much should he say? "I think he's gone away and we're a little concerned, that's all. But I don't want to draw attention to it either. I'm just lost as to where he might have gone, or why he's left..."