Darcy frowned, considering Thatcher’s words. It was true they had focused their search on the most forested area, for it was the best place for a thief to hide. But what if they had miscalculated?
“To what end?”
Thatcher lifted his shoulders. “I do not know. But I am convinced someone has been watching us when Miss Bennet takes her walks.”
The other men reached them, Thompson speaking for them all when he reported that they had found nothing.
“If you do not mind a bit more time in the cold,” Darcy said to them all, “we might follow the path Miss Bennet takes each morning, just to be certain. Thatcher can show us.”
Thatcher nodded. “It runs out of the woods, along the river.”
“Lead on,” Darcy said. It was best to be thorough.
Elizabeth paced the drawing room. When she reached the window, she stopped for a few moments to look out beyond the gardens before she resumed her circuit.
A soft knock at the door made her pause, and she turned as Mr. Riggs entered.
“Mr. Darcy to see you, Miss Bennet,” he announced.
Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat. “Please, show him in.”
Moments later, Mr. Darcy stepped into the room, his expression grave. Elizabeth felt a mixture of relief and concern. He would not appear so serious had he not found something, so she was not imagining things. But if she was not imagining things, then she and Hollydale had a problem.
“Mr. Darcy, thank you for coming. Have your men been offered refreshments?”
“Yes, your cook is quite persuasive.”
Elizabeth smiled wanly. “Was your search . . .?” She did not know what to ask, precisely.
He glanced around the room, his brow furrowed. “Is your mother not with you?”
“Not at the moment.” Mamma was deep into planning the refurbishments they would take on in the spring.
“Miss Bennet, perhaps you should sit.”
She shook her head. “I will not faint away, Mr. Darcy. Judging by your hesitance, I presume you found something?”
Darcy hesitated, one hand already outstretched to help her to a chair and nodded. “We did. Just past the woods, where the path curves.”
“Near the bridge?”
Seeming to accept she did not wish to sit, he dropped his hand. “On the bank beneath it. Not under the bridge, but to the far side of it. It is a small sort of hole, hollowed out in the bank. Because it is under you as you walk, you would not see it unless you were searching for it.”
“Like a cave?”
“Far too small for that. More of a hidden cache. And it is filled with many of the items you say have gone missing from Hollydale.”
A shiver ran down her spine. “Why would someone take those things just to hide them on the property?”
Mr. Darcy’s reply was firm. “That is what we need to learn. Is there a vagrant who intends to haul everything off to sell? Is it some misguided prank?”
“You did not find the person who has been taking things, then?”
“No, I am sorry to say we did not encounter him.” There was something in his voice that made her understand such a meeting would not have gone well for the thief. “I hope you do not mind,but we decided to leave the items there. We are hoping to catch the man when he returns for them.”
“I do not mind.” The discovery of the hidden items only deepened the mystery. “I shall hire more men to keep watch, I suppose.”
Mr. Darcy’s brow furrowed. “I have already instructed my men to keep watch on the house. Thompson will report to Thatcher.”
