she added, more slowly, "you needn't ask me about it, for I shall not
tell you anything. Ring for a messenger, please. I want this taken to
the _Herald_ office at once; give him the money to pay for it."

In silence Miss Manuel obeyed. When the boy came she went into the
hall to hand the envelope to him, glancing at the address as she did
so. The instant she crossed the threshold Alice Stansbury slipped into
the next room and opened a window looking down into a court. As she
did so she whimpered like a frightened child.

"I must do it," she whispered. "I must--I must--now--now--now! If I
wait, I won't--dare."

When the nurse entered the room there was only the open window to tell
her what had happened. Panting, she leaned out and looked down with
starting eyes. Far below, on the asphalt floor of the court, was a
dark mass which moved once and then lay still.

The little clock on the table in the inner room struck twelve. Out in
the hall the messenger whistled softly as he waited for the elevator.
Hearing these familiar sounds, the nurse cast off the paralysis which
had held her, and the silent corridor of the great hotel echoed her
useless call for help.




IV

THE SIMPLE LIFE OF GENEVIEVE MAUD