The Detroit times., 1910-04-13
CHAPTER xxx.
A Windfali.

CHAPTER XXX
A Windfal.
Ailsa stood outside by the door OF
the bedroom after hearing Colville 5
astounding question. listening 10 what
was going to happen next If she e1-
pected any signs of confusion or hesl-
tt.r4tryu ON ttre-p part of sSsti=saH She Mas
mistaken. She stared at Colville Tor a
moment and then broke into strange
laugh
Well that's a queer question for
YOU 10 ask me. she said What nave
/ done with your wife, What did you
do with her yourself ten years ago.
Do you suppose that have torgotteh
that awful winters night and all that
occurred then. And from that day
to this YOU have never SO much as
mentioned the name OF your wife. And
now YOU come asking me what l have
done with the poor creature. You are
madden even than | thought
But this merciless satire did not
seem TO move Colville in the least.
Through the open door Aiisa could see
his white logged face glazing at
Susan. The old man shaded his eyes.
as II the light or day was too strong
for him
you are fooling me- be said. In
level. passionless tone You know
that nv eyesight is going. going slow
ly. but surely. | can't make out that
hard face OF yours; everything seems
TO have become misty But my VIE
came here, | know.
How do YOU know Susan retort-
ed. Have you been looking for her?
TO do so. ! asked too many questions.
perhaps. But there were some men
who fell upon ME and half-killed me.
II was In a 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 a step forward.
Il believe YOU know where she is
he said. Il must find her-there are
reasons that | cannot tell anybody.
ESKs.ss iD.yogp foOpl, fas1 certain OF y.
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,
she muttered My niece. She has
know. and YOU made no objection then.
Besides. she is not well. am Just
going TO send for a doctor for her.
Maybe the trouble is something eaten
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
". Let me pass
The two stood glaring AT each other
for a few moments. The sound or
their voices echoed in the dull silent
old house Then. with a scornful
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 70 the bedroom door. She
slipped out herself so as not 10 be
seen. But il was too late, for she
came almost violently in collision with
.Colvile as he made FOR the open door
Ailsa could hear the second key CRATE
In the lock and the mocking laugh or
Susan.
"You in il, too" Colville exclaimed
What are YOU doing here Ailsa? II
/ thought that YOU had any connection
with mis- business. Go down 70
your studio, | shall have something
to say to YOU presently Susan can
look 10 herself
I'm afraid | don't quite understand
what you are talking about. Ailsa said
coldly. "You have been So strange in
your manner lately. II you think that
/ ] am engaged IN some vulgar Intrigue
! with one OF your servants whyLbut Y
is impossible have learnt very little
/ OF you during the past few years
! have learnt still less OF your domestic
STAFF -
Then what are you doing up here? -
Colville asked In the same suspicious
manner What are you after al the
top Of the house Answer me that
But Ailsa declined 20 do anything Of
/ the kind She was not exactly acting
lie but she had an uncomfortable
feeling that she was suppressing the
/ truth She wondered If II would not
/ be better On he long run 20 speak free
~ OF all she knew. And yet. on the
other hand. she felt that such a course
would be- playing into the hands % the
enemy That old Susan was engaged
I'm some good purpose she felt certain
Or why had old Thomas been spirited
away. aud why had John Stern pAr
5cuated that queer servant
II am going down 20 my studio
/ ,Ailsa said with dignity, III would be
lEdle TO pretend that I am neg aware
,thst strange things are taking place
under this roof Whether they are
criminal or not could not say But
! DO not allow my curiosity TO ask any
questions When you are In frame
~ mind 10 talk properly 10 me again
| Sian be gladyt 10 see you
/ Col,iile smiled grimly he had nor
\ Expected display OF spirit like this
Very we'll ne said n will come
Gown in half an hour. And / shall
pat some pertinent questions To- you.
AS 90 your future for instance The
discussion OF your prospects has beef
postponed from one cause or another
! ] dare say ycu are curious on that