murmuring, "I've lost it."

He started at the words, and sprang forward to me. Then he turned
quickly to the carrier.

"This gentleman is my friend," he said. "Give him to me. I'll
speak to you later." He waited while I was lifted down from the
wagon into the arms that he held ready for me, and himself
carried me across the threshold. I was quite clear in the head by
now and understood all that passed. There were one or two people
in the hall, but Mr. Rassendyll took no heed of them. He bore me
quickly upstairs and into his sitting-room. There he set me down
in an arm-chair, and stood opposite to me. He was smiling, but
anxiety was awake in his eyes.

"I've lost it," I said again, looking up at him pitifully enough.

"That's all right," said he, nodding. "Will you wait, or can you
tell me?"

"Yes, but give me some brandy," said I.

Rudolf gave me a little brandy mixed in a great deal of water,
and then I made shift to tell him. Though faint, I was not
confused, and I gave my story in brief, hurried, yet sufficient
words. He made no sign till I mentioned the letter. Then his face
changed.

"A letter, too?" he exclaimed, in a strange mixture of increased
apprehension and unlooked-for joy.