Page:Richard Marsh--The goddess a demon.djvu/39

Rh "No offence, sir, but when you tell me that a strange young woman comes through your window in the middle of the night, I can't help having my own thoughts."

"And I tell you, Mrs. Peddar, that the 'strange young woman,' as you call her, is a lady in every sense of the word, to whom, I am persuaded, something very serious has recently happened."

"Very good, Mr. Ferguson. I'm afraid that you're too soft-hearted, sir. Where is this young lady now?"

"She is in my dining-room."

"Alone?"

"Certainly she is alone."

"Then I should not be surprised if, by now, she's gone back through the window, taking something with her to help keep you in mind. You must excuse my saying that I don't think I ever did know quite so simple-minded a gentleman as you are, sir. One thing s sure—if we do want to find her we'd better hurry for all we're worth."

Urged by Mrs. Peddar I hastened with her down the stairs. But her forecast was not realised. My visitor had not gone. She was still in the dining-room, fast asleep in an armchair. The first thing which saluted our ears, as we entered the room, was the sound of her gentle