CHAPTER LV.
DISAPPEARANCE.
"I am afraid I must ask you to leave us now, Miss Marston," said Mr.
Brett, seated with pen, ink, and paper, to receive his new client's instructions.
"No," said Mr.Redmain; "she must stay where she is.

I fancy something happened last night which she has got to tell us about." "Ah! What was that ?" asked Mr.Brett, facing round on her.
Mary began her story with the incident of her having been pursued by some one, and rescued by the blacksmith, whom she told her listeners she had known in London.

Then she narrated all that had happened the night before, from first to last, not forgetting the flame that lighted the closet as they approached the window.
"Just let me see those memoranda," said Mr.Brett to Mr.Redmain, rising, and looking for the paper where he had left it the day before.
"It was of that paper I was this moment thinking," answered Mr.Redmain.
"It is not here!" said Mr.Brett.
"I thought as much! The fool! There was a thousand pounds there for her! I didn't want to drive her to despair: a dying man must mind what he is about.

Ring the bell and see what Mewks has to say to it." Mewks came, in evident anxiety.
I will not record his examination.

Mr.Brett took it for granted he had deliberately and intentionally shut out Mary, and Mewks did not attempt to deny it, protesting he believed she was boring his master.