I hurried into the
passage as the bell commenced ringing again, and I had almost
reached the door when once more the ringing ceased; but now I
could hear a woman's voice, low but agitated:
"Open the door! Oh, for God's sake be quick!"
Completely mystified, and not a little alarmed, I threw open the
door, and in there staggered a woman heavily veiled, so that I
could see little of her features, but by the lines of her figure
I judged her to be young.
Uttering a sort of moan of terror she herself closed the door,
and stood with her back to it, watching me through the thick
veil, while her breast rose and fell tumultuously.
"Thank God there was someone at home!" she gasped.
I think I may say with justice that I had never been so surprised
in my life; every particular of the incident marked it as
unique--set it apart from the episodes of everyday life.
"Madam," I began doubtfully, "you seem to be much alarmed at
something, and if I can be of any assistance to you------"
"You have saved my life!" she whispered, and pressed one hand to
her bosom. "In a moment I will explain."
"Won't you rest a little after your evidently alarming
experience?" I suggested.
My strange visitor nodded, without speaking, and I conducted her
to the study which I had just left, and placed the most
comfortable arm-chair close beside the table so that as I sat I
might study this woman who so strangely had burst in upon me.
Pages:
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138