Another Astonishment
But a second and very different astonishment awaited Mr. Dempster. Again one evening, on his return from the City, he saw a strange look on the face of the girl who opened the door—but this time it was a look of fear.
“Well?” he said, in a tone at once alarmed and peremptory.
She made no answer, but turned whiter than before.
“Where is your mistress?” he demanded.
“Nobody knows, sir,” she answered.
“Nobody knows! What would you have me understand by such an answer?”
“It’s the bare truth, sir. Nobody knows where she is.”
“God bless me!” cried the husband. “What does it all mean?”
And again he sunk down upon a chair—this time in the hall, and stared at the girl as if waiting further enlightenment.
But there was little enough to be had. Only one point was clear: his wife was nowhere to be found. He sent for everyone in the house, and cross-questioned each to discover the last occasion on which she had been seen. It was some time since she had been missed; how long before that she had been seen there was no certainty to be had. He ran to the doctor, then from one to another of her acquaintance, then to her mother, who