The Story Continued by Marian Halcombe

up, she said something to me . And the next day your husband⁠—’ ” “Yes! yes! Go on. What did she tell you about your husband?” “She stopped again, Marian, at that point⁠—” “And said no more?” “And listened eagerly. ‘Hush!’ she whispered, still waving her hand at me. ‘Hush!’ She moved aside out of the doorway, moved slowly and stealthily, step by step, till I lost her past the edge of the boathouse.” “Surely you followed her?” “Yes, my anxiety made me bold enough to rise and follow her. Just as I reached the entrance, she appeared again suddenly, round the side of the boathouse. ‘The Secret,’ I whispered to her⁠—‘wait and tell me the Secret!’ She caught hold of my arm, and looked at me with wild frightened eyes. ‘Not now,’ she said, ‘we are not alone⁠—we are watched. Come here tomorrow at this time⁠—by yourself⁠—mind⁠—by yourself.’ She pushed me roughly into the boathouse again, and I saw her no more.” “Oh, Laura, Laura, another chance lost! If I had only been near you she should not have escaped us. On which side did you lose sight of her?” “On the left side, where the ground sinks and the wood is thickest.” “Did you run out again? did you call after her?”