Page:The Zeppelin Destroyer.djvu/132

 CHAPTER XIII

THE LEOPARD'S EYES

OR a few moments I stood dumbfounded.

I could scarcely believe my own eyes. The figure before me was pale-faced and wan. She wore an old blue felt hat with wide brim which was most unbecoming, a faded jersey that had once been dark mauve, and an old black skirt, while her boots were cracked and bulging, and she was without gloves.

She smiled at me inanely, as she came across the room and Theed closed the door after her.

'Roseye!' I gasped. 'Whatever does this mean?'

'Is it really you!' cried Teddy, equally amazed.

'It is,' she replied in a low, very weary voice.

I saw that she appeared exhausted, for she clutched at the edge of the table, so I led her gently to my chair wherein she sank inertly, with a deep sigh.

'Roseye,' I said. 'Where have you been?'

She turned her gaze upon the fire. Her face remained hard-set. The expression upon her white countenance was one of tragedy.

Her chest heaved and fell, and I saw that her 132