“There’s only one thing for it,” said Alice, finally. “I’ll have to go to the village myself and through them, see what they can tell me about this wicked chap. They’re sure to know who he is and where he is.”
“We won’t be able to find him at all,” said Peter, who was rolled up in his favorite rug, clutching his beloved chocolate cake. “He’s run off to parts unknown, that’s sure, and you’ll have no luck in the village.”
“I’ll try anyhow,” she said. “After all, they’re our friends and they’re there.”
Alice donned her hooded cloak and waved to the two mice. “Come along, you two,” she said somewhat anxiously. “I’m going to the village to talk to some people about a bad man who lives next door. “
The mice, who had been sprawled in front of the fire corner amid the family’s half-eaten dinner, soon came scampering to join their friends.
“We’ll need more food and that’s sure,” said Peter, pulling off the last piece of carrot. He ran a dust rag over his hands and up his arm. “This is no time for what we’ve got, if you know my meaning.”
“This is no time for what you’d have if you knew my meaning and that’s sure,” said Alice, with a sigh and a laugh. “I’m off!”
Alice slipped out the door and was soon on her way down the hill. She was delighted with the slight breeze and the breeze was pleased to feel the cool fresh air. She was sure that the weather was going to be breezy, despite the fact that it was winter. After all, snow had fallen today, yesterday, and some days earlier. There was snow on the ground, even though it was covered with frost and ice.
Alice had just stepped out of a sweet and buttery puff of morning fog when she felt a light thud on the back of her head.
She looked about her, now completely bewildered and alarmed. Being unable to clearly see, she held on to the back of her neck and moved off at a slow pace.
“Look here,” she heard a voice approaching and felt a flapping about her face. “We canna all live like this, living in a castle and tied, tied up with a law suit!”
“No dinna fash,” said another voice. “We’ll jist cure you up and we’ll find you a spot wherever.”
“I’m not in a very happy frame o’ mind,” Alice heard the man say. “There’s no place I can go. If it was only a ghost I’d be used to that. But to ha’ it be a real person!”
“There’s someone coming,” the other man said. “A good strong fellow. He’s not a ghost, I’m sure of that-he’ll soon be coming along.”
“What do you think he’ll think to do?” asked the first man. “Do you think he’ll believe we were having him on?”
The ‘ghost’ got quiet, though he took hold of his throat.
“Ah,” said the man, “it’s the inspector’s missus.”
“It’s Alice from next door I reckon,” said the first man. “She’s got a head on her like a sock.”
“Oh, no,” thought Alice. “I’m sure I was looking right at them.”
She was leaning against a tree now, trying to collect herself. “What a strange thing to happen,” she said to herself. “I’m sure I heard a voice.”
“TOLD you,” said the first man. “She’s not a ghost-look at her, she’s walking about as though she saw us. It’s not so bad if she doesn’t know.”
“It’s quite strange,” said the second man. “I’m sure she’s stunned.”
Alice hadn’t seen anything through the fog, but she’d heard the voices. She turned to walk away and stopped at the sound of the dog.
Her gaze wandered up to the top of the tree where she saw the dog sitting with its ears raised straight up.
“Good day,” she said to the dog. “Don’t mind me, I’m in the dark. I’m not myself.”
Alice walked into the fog and turned back again just in time to see the men’s shadow disappear. That was very strange! She’d heard bantering and talking, but she hadn’t seen a man. She could have sworn someone had been by her.
The dog had left the tree and was waiting for her on the path. “I’m sorry the dog,” she said, walking in the direction she’d seen the two men disappear.
The path was long and winding and Alice was soon able to see her destination.
“Just a little walk up to the village,” she said. “I thought I might be able to find out something from someone there.”
Alice reached the village and loitered about for some time at the edge of the market square. She was sure that the market square was just a few days ago. She was certain that she’d been in the market square only that afternoon and not a day before.
There was a small crowd gathered in front of a large building,
“It’s Lady Chatterly,” someone said, leaning toward her and tapping her on the shoulder. “She’s ever so rich and very generous-and very pretty too.”
Alice smiled her thanks and turned her attention to the crowd. The villagers were evidently waiting for an important person to arrive. She’d seen such a person in the village before. It was one of those very important persons. Very important persons, she recalled, never arrived at the same time, but separately, not together. She knew that for a fact.
She saw the ornate carriage being set down. Lady Chatterly had just come. He was so very old, Alice thought. No one was very surprised as he stepped out of the carriage and looked about him.
He nodded a bit then went to a bench under a tree and sat down. People rushed about him to be sure that he went to a place of comfort. Alice pushed up beside a man in fine clothes. She stood at attention.
“Good day, Miss,” he said. “You should know, of course, that this is the Chatterly estate. You should know, of course, where you live.”
Alice nodded.
“Wonderful,” he said. “I was so glad to see you here. I know there will be some news of some sort.”
“Yes,” said Alice. “Lady Chatterly is coming to town?”
“Yes,” said the man, “and it’s such a treat!”
Alice was disappointed. She was sure that he’d been talking to her in short sentences, but now he’d been saying only one word. “Treat,” he’d said.
Then some voices were heard. Alice recognized Lady Chatterly. She had a sugary manner. Lady Chatterly was one of the most important persons in the town. She never seemed to mix with people in the town; she had little to do with those people. She used to go to the village each week exclusively to shop. Alice thought that Lady Chatterly might be going to the market. Perhaps she’d been injured and would need some medicine to be taken to the home. It would be very hard to tell without being able to ask. It was very strange, as well, that she’d be on time. She wasn’t supposed to be.
A few people rushed towards Lady Chatterly, but most of them only began to walk about in excitement. Alice saw the man who’d spoken to her now sitting on a bench talking to a woman sitting beside him. He was talking to her as though they knew each other, but they did not seem to know each other.
The excitement didn’t last. The crowd soon dispersed. A coachman asked her if she’d like a ride on the way back. She accepted and stepped onto the carriage.
The Chatterly servants were surprised. The carriages were lined up. Alice wanted to know why they were surprised.
