The Lady Sleuths MEGAPACK TM(364)

                “A small matter,” I inwardly decided, “but it points in the right direction”; then, in answer to Miss Althorpe, added aloud: “I fear she is. At least I have seen no reason yet for doubting it. But I must make sure. Will you allow me to wake her?”

                “O it seems cruel! She is suffering enough already. See how she twists and turns!”

                “It will be a mercy, it seems to me, to rouse her from dreams so full of pain and trouble.”

                “Perhaps, but I will leave you alone to do it. What will you say to her? How account for your intrusion?”

                “O I will find means, and they won’t be too cruel either. You had better stand back by the bureau and listen. I think I had rather not have the responsibility of doing this thing alone.”

                Miss Althorpe, not understanding my hesitation, and only half comprehending my errand, gave me a doubtful look but retreated to the spot I had mentioned, and whether it was the rustle of her silk dress or whether the dream of the girl we were watching had reached its climax, a momentary stir took place in the outstretched form before me, and next moment she was flinging up her hands with a cry.



                             “O how can I touch her! She is dead, and I have never touched a dead body.”

                I fell back breathing hard, and Miss Althorpe’s eyes, meeting mine, grew dark with horror. Indeed she was about to utter a cry herself, but I made an imperative motion, and she merely shrank farther away towards the door.

                Meantime I had bent forward and laid my hand on the trembling figure before me.

                “Miss Oliver,” I said, “rouse yourself, I pray. I have a message for you from Mrs. Desberger.”

                She turned her head, looked at me like a person in a daze, then slowly moved and sat up.

                “Who are you?” she asked, surveying me and the space about her with eyes which seemed to take in nothing till they lit upon Miss Althorpe’s figure standing in an attitude of mingled shame and sympathy by the half-open door.

                “Oh, Miss Althorpe!” she entreated, “I pray you to excuse me. I did not know you wanted me. I have been asleep.”

                “It is this lady who wants you,” answered Miss Althorpe. “She is a friend of mine and one in whom you can confide.”

                “Confide!” This was a word to rouse her. She turned livid, and in her eyes as she looked my way both terror and surprise were visible. “Why should you think I had anything to confide? If I had, I should not pass by you, Miss Althorpe, for another.”

                There were tears in her voice, and I had to remember the victim just laid away in Woodlawn, not to bestow much more compassion on this woman than she rightfully deserved. She had a magnetic voice and a magnetic presence, but that was no reason why I should forget what she had done.

                “No one asks for your confidence,” I protested, “though it might not hurt you to accept a friend whenever you can get one. I merely wish, as I said before, to give you a message from Mrs. Desberger, under whose roof you stayed before coming here.”



                             “I am obliged to you,” she responded, rising to her feet, and trembling very much. “Mrs. Desberger is a kind woman; what does she want of me?”

                So I was on the right track; she acknowledged Mrs. Desberger.