Page:The Mystery of Madeline Le Blanc (1900).djvu/59

Rh "You are losing your reason, creature."

"Who was it that came out of the cellar last night and dropped here where you are now standing?" asked the dwarf.

"It was I."

"No, it was too pale and ugly a face; no, it was somebody else's visage whom I never saw before," said the creature, trembling in the dark.

"It was I! and it was fortunate for me that I came to myself in time to avoid the police, whom I saw come and inspect the house. You unfaithful dog, why did you leave me?" hissed Satiani into the face of the dwarf.

"No, no; call me not that; I am not unfaithful. The noise you made coming out of the cellar attracted a passer-by's attention; and I was too weak to carry you away, Monsieur. I hid when the police entered, and when I left, I ran to your office for safety, and waited until day. The face and body did not look like you at all."

"I have at last made the discovery," said Satiani, feeling his way to the door of the cellar.