Dark Hollow by Anna Katharine Green
page 52 of 361 (14%)
page 52 of 361 (14%)
|
even women feel. You may judge, sir, if we, old stagers at the
business, have been willing to take her in and keep her, at any price,--a woman who won't show her face except to me, and who will not leave her room without her veil and then only for walks in places where no one else wants to go,--she must have some queer sort of charm to overcome all scruples. But she's gone too far to- day. She shall leave the Inn to-morrow. I promise you that, sir, whatever Samuel says. But sit down; sit down; you look tired, judge. Is there anything you would like? Shall I call Samuel?" "No. I'm not much used to walking. Besides, I have had a great loss to-day. My man, Bela--" Then with his former abruptness: "Have you no idea who this Mrs. Averill is, or why she broke into my house?" "There's but one explanation, sir. I've been thinking about it ever since I got wind of where she took my Peggy. The woman is not responsible. She has some sort of mania. Why else should she go into a strange gate just because she saw it open?" "She hasn't confided in you?" "No, sir. I haven't seen her since she brought Peggy back. We've had this big automobile party, and I thought my reckoning with her would keep. I heard about what had happened at your place from the man who brought us fruit." "Mrs. Yardley, you've seen this woman's face?" "Yes, I've seen her." |
|