You heard a screech, in
short, and you hurried across the hall, and found Miss Elmsdale in a
fainting condition, on the floor of the library. Was that so?"
"She often fainted: she is all nairves," explained poor Miss Blake.
"No doubt. And when she regained consciousness, she entreated to be
taken out of that dreadful room."
"She never liked the room after her father's death: it was natural,
poor child."
"Quite natural. And so you took her into the dining-room, and there,
curled upon the hearthrug, fast asleep, was the little dog she fancied
she heard whining in the library."
"Yes, he had been away for two or three days, and came home hungry
and sleepy."
"Exactly. And you have, therefore, no reason to believe he was
shamming slumber."
"I believe I am getting very tired of your questions and
cross-questions," she said, irritably.
"Now, what a pity!" remarked her tormentor; "for I could never tire of
your answers. At all events, Miss Elmsdale could not have heard him
whining in the library--so called."
"She might have heard some other dog," said Miss Blake.
"As a matter of fact, however, she stated to you there was no dog in
the room."
"She did. But I don't think she knew whether there was or not."
"In any case, she did not see a dog; you did not see one; and the
servants did not.
Pages:
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97