Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/213

Rh Witt, “and by this time she must certainly know something is wrong, since both you  and the girl have been away all night. Come right for me, Jan, if it is necessary, but I  must turn in now for just a few moment’s  rest, or I’ll break down too.” Poor Jan  crept home broken and almost in tears. At the door he was met by Vrouw Voorhaas who  had dragged herself out of bed to search the  house for its usual inmates. Her eyes were wild and haggard, and she faced him fiercely.

“Where hast thou been all night? Where are Jacqueline and Gysbert?” she demanded.

“Oh, they are all right,—all safe!” he tried to prevaricate, but his face betrayed  him.

“It is not so! Thou liest!” she interrupted him. “Evil has come to them,—I know it! I know it! For many days have I suspected that all was not well with Gysbert,  and now Jacqueline has disappeared too. Thou canst not deceive me! Do not try! Ah, Dirk Willumhoog, thou—” She could