Page:Madame Claire (IA madameclaire00ertz 1).pdf/292

Chapter XXIII

Judy knocked on Noel's bedroom door before dinner the following evening, and was invited to enter.

"What's up?" asked Noel, who was sorting ties and socks.

"This," she answered, displaying a letter. "The most disgusting thing's happened."

"What is it? It looks like Chip's writing."

"It is. I told you he called on Claire yesterday when I was there, and met Mr. Colebridge."

"Yes."

"Well, he seems to have jumped to conclusions. Listen to this. I'll read it to you.

"'Dear Miss Pendleton,

"'I think I told you about a cottage my mother owned in Cornwall. It's a very remote, quiet little place, and I've found it very useful at different times. I think it will exactly suit my present mood, and I'm going down there by an early train to-morrow. I hope to be able to finish the book there. I don't seem to have been able to get on with it lately.