Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/109

Rh floor, he found both the mother and daughter awaiting him within.

As he entered, the maid who had opened the door fastened it quickly again and slipped into one of the other rooms.

Both the women were clearly very much agitated, though they tried to conceal it. As Preston entered, Mrs. Varris nodded to him pleasantly from the writing table, where she was figuring; but the daughter arose and extended her hand to him.

"You have seen—you have said nothing to any one, as we asked?" she questioned, gently releasing her fingers from his absently unconscious grasp.

"A police officer came to my room just after I received your note, Miss Varris," Preston replied. "But I put him off. But what—what is the matter, Miss Varris—Mrs. Varris?" he turned from one to the other.

"You have not heard?" the girl asked.

"What?"

"That we have been robbed?"

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