They clasped hands and looked deep into one another's eyes; then the reaction came and both burst out laughing.
"We are like a couple of children," said Herries, smiling, "merry children."
"Ah, my own, we have been too wise in the misery of the world. Look at your years of sorrow; look at my years of trouble. We have both been unlucky."
"Mr. and Mrs. Jonah," said Angus, with a shrug, "well, darling, I think two bad lucks make one good one. Since we have been married the luck has changed."
"I am free from a terrible charge, and you are my wife. Henceforth I truly believe that we will be the happiest and most fortunate couple in the wide world. Two negatives make an affirmative, so why shouldn't your bad luck and mine, when joined, as they now are, make one superlatively good one? What do you think?"
"I think the same as you. Everything will go well now."
"Hurrah," Angus shook her hands vigorously, "let us build castles in the air, and perhaps they will turn into bricks and mortar."
Elspeth caught his spirit, and laughed also.
"Well, then, we will learn who killed your uncle, and then you will get fifty thousand a year, upon which," she gave him a comical look, "we can manage to exist."
"With due economy," said Herries gravely, "but we must not forget, my dearest, that should this great fortune come to us, we will have to hold it in trust for less fortunate people. There are many male and female Jonahs about, who will have to be helped."
"I quite agree with you; but we must get the money first. Now that you are free, Angus, you can search for yourself."
"I intend to; but in what direction can I search?"
"I fancy it would be best for you to return to the 'Marsh Inn,' and question Mrs. Narby."
"I can't be sure; but she is an observant woman, and if you promise her a reward she would tell you of anything suspicious she might have seen."
"That's true," then Angus burst into laughter, "I wonder if she'll be civil."
"Of course. She must have seen in the papers that you have inherited this money, and if you make it worth her while----"
"But I can't until I find out who killed my uncle. Only when the true assassin is discovered will I be able to inherit."
"Make it worth Mrs. Narby's while and she will assist you," insisted Elspeth. "I am quite sure that the secret of the crime is to be discovered at the 'Marsh Inn.'"