Page:The Rejuvenation Of Miss Semaphore.pdf/92

 Miss Semaphore's first move, therefore, was to find a small stationer's shop, where she obtained permission to write a letter. The letter was to Mrs. Geldheraus, marked "Urgent and Private." In it she detailed the horrible accident that had happened to her sister, and implored the explorer's widow to write or wire particulars of an antidote, if there was one, and in all cases to let her know exactly how the Water of Youth worked, and how long its effects were likely to last in such a case. She said, "You can imagine the dreadful position in which I am placed. My sister is altered out of knowledge; though she still seems, so far as I can judge, to preserve her memory and understanding, she cannot speak. You have left England, and the story sounds so improbable, that I cannot hope any of our friends would believe me if I told them the truth. I live in terror of my sister being discovered under her present aspect, so implore you to lose no time in relieving my suspense."

This she posted, but the most gloomy apprehensions assailed her.

"Mrs. Geldheraus may not call for letters for a week," she reflected, "and where on