Part 67 (1/2)
”It was Miss Yolland,” answered Mary.
”What business had she in my room?”
”She shall not enter it again while I am here.”
”Don't let Mewks in either,” he rejoined. ”I heard the door unlock and lock again: what did it mean?”
”Wait till to-morrow. Perhaps we shall find out then.”
He was silent a little.
”I must get out of this house, Mary,” he sighed at length.
”When the doctor comes, we shall see,” said Mary.
”What! is the doctor coming? I am glad of that. Who sent for him?”
”I don't know; I only heard he was coming.”
”But your lawyer, Mary--what's his name?--will be here first: we'll talk the thing over with him, and take his advice. I feel better, and shall go to sleep again.”
All night long Mary sat by him and watched. Not a step, so far as she knew, came near the door; certainly not a hand was laid upon the lock.
Mr. Redmain slept soundly, and in the morning was beyond a doubt better.
But Mary could not think of leaving him until Mr. Brett came. At Mr.
Redmain's request she rang the bell. Mewks made his appearance, with the face of a ghost. His master told him to bring his breakfast.
”And see, Mewks,” he added, in a tone of gentleness that terrified the man, so unaccustomed was he to such from the mouth of his master--”see that there is enough for Miss Marston as well. She has had nothing all night. Don't let my lady have any trouble with it.--Stop,” he cried, as Mewks was going, ”I won't have you touch it either; I am fastidious this morning. Tell the young woman they call Jemima to come here to Miss Marston.”
Mewks slunk away. Jemima came, and Mr. Redmain ordered her to get breakfast for himself and Mary. It was done speedily, and Mary remained in the sick-chamber until the lawyer arrived.
CHAPTER LV.
DISAPPEARANCE.
”I am afraid I must ask you to leave us now, Miss Marston,” said Mr.
Brett, seated with pen, ink, and paper, to receive his new client's instructions.
”No,” said Mr. Redmain; ”she must stay where she is. I fancy something happened last night which she has got to tell us about.”
”Ah! What was that?” asked Mr. Brett, facing round on her.
Mary began her story with the incident of her having been pursued by some one, and rescued by the blacksmith, whom she told her listeners she had known in London. Then she narrated all that had happened the night before, from first to last, not forgetting the flame that lighted the closet as they approached the window.
”Just let me see those memoranda,” said Mr. Brett to Mr. Redmain, rising, and looking for the paper where he had left it the day before.
”It was of that paper I was this moment thinking,” answered Mr. Redmain.