The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-04-13
CHAPTER xxx.
a WindfalI.

a Windfall
Ailsa stood outside by the door of
the bedroom after hearing Colville s
astounding question, listening TO what
was going TO happen next. II she ex'
pected any signs OF confusion or hest
tation on the part OF Susan she was
mistaken. She stared at Colville for a
moment and then broke into a strange
laugh.
Well. that's a queer question for
YOU to ask me" she said What have
done with your wife? What did you
do with her yourself ten years ago?
Do YOU suppose that | have forgotten
that awful winters night and all that
occurred then And from that day
10 this YOU have never SO much as
mentioned the name OF your wife. And
now you come asking me what ! have
done with the poor creature. You are
madden even than | thought
But this merciess satire did not
seem TO move Colyille In the least.
Through the open door Ailsa could see
his white. logged face glazing AT
Susan. The old man shaded his eyes.
as If the light OF day was too strong
for him
You are fooling me" he said in a
level passionless tone You know
that my eyesight Is going. going slow
~. bur surely | can't make out that
hard face Of yours; everything seems
10 have become misty But my wife
came here. know
How do you know Susan retort-
I'd Have you been looking for her.?
Perhaps IL has become necessary
to do so | asked too many questions,
perhaps But there were some men
who fell upon me and half.killed me.
Ii was in house in the Waterloo
road. But that is beside the point.
Where is my wife,
Again Susan laughed The Earring
mirth seemed 10 sting Colville, for he
took step forward.
Il believe YOU know where she is
be said II mus find her--there are
teaSmrs that { cannot -snveeaY
She is In your room, am certain OF ".
And am going TO see
Susan resolutely barred the way.
Nothing short of violence should make
her move she said
There is somebody in my room, y
she muttered My niece. She has
been here before. as YOU may well
know. and YOU made no objection then.
Besides. she is not well | am just
going 10 send for a doctor for her.
Maybe the trouble is something catch
ing I've been your servant for long.
but I'm not going to be your slave.
Go away
II don't go till have seen what is
In that bedroom Colville said logged
ly Let me pass.
The two stood glazing az each other
for a few moments The sound of
their voices echoed in the dull, silent
old house Then, with a scornfu
laugh. Susan fairly pushed her EN-
ployer out of the room and locked the
door behind him Ailsa could hear
him stagger into the corridor. she
heard him Come round as quickly as
possible 10 the bedroom door She
slipped ont herself SO as not 10 be
seen. But il was too late, for she
came almost violently In collision with
Colvlle as he made for the open door.
Ailsa could hear the second key crate
I'm the lock and the hooking laugh or
Susan
you In It. too" Colville exclaimed.
What are YOU doing here, iilsa? II
I thought that you had any connection
with this bnsiness---. Go down TO
your studio. | shall have something
TO say TO YOU presently. Susan can
look to herself.
I'm afraid don't quite understand
what YOU are talking about. Ailsa said
coldly 'Yon have been so strange IN
your manner lately II you think that
am engaged In some vulgar intrigue
with one Of your servants. why-Dut II
IS impossible. | have learnt very little
Of YOU during the past few years !
have learnt still less OF your domestic
stan $50
"Tben what are YOU doing up here?'
Colyille asked IN the same suspicious
manner What are YOU after at the
top of the house. Answer me mat
put Ailsa declined to do anything OF
the kind She was not exactly acting
Ito hut shc had an uncomfortable
feeling that she was suppressing the
truth She wondered II 1t would not
be better IN he long run to speak free-
I, of all she knew And yet. on the
otber hand she felt that such a course
would be playing into the hands of the
enemy. That old Susan was engaged
In some good purpose she felt certain.
Or whv had old Thomas been spirited
away and why had John Stern per
sanated that queer servant?
81 am going down to my studio.
Aiisa said with dignity. 1T would be
idle TO pretend that am not aware
th.t strange things are taking place
urtler tbis roof. Whether they are
criminal or not ] could not say but
30, not allow my curiosity TO ask any
questions When you are I'm a frame
IL mind to- talk properly TO me again,
Oh
Cclyille smiled grimly He had not
expected display OF spirit like this.
II VERY we'll ne said Il VIII come
down in half an hour. And ! shall
put some pertinent questions to you.
As TO your future. FOR instance. The
discussion of your prospects has been
POSTPONED from one cause or another.
dare say you are curious on that