She was lying down in her dressing-room; she said she was ill." He looked at her for a moment--it was evident she was telling the simple truth.
"Send Miss Silver here." "I am not sure that Miss Silver is in the house, Sir Everard.

I saw her go out with Edwards some time ago but I will go and see." Claudine departed.

Five minutes passed--ten; he stood rigid as stone.
Then came steps--hurried, agitated--the footsteps of a man and a woman.
He strode out and confronted them--Edwards, his valet, and Sybilla Silver.

Both were dressed as from a recent walk; both wore strangely pale and agitated faces.
Edwards barely repressed a cry at sight of his master.
"What is it ?" Sir Everard asked.
The valet looked at Sybilla in blank terror.

Miss Silver covered her face with both hands and turned away.
"What is it ?" the baronet repeated, in a dull, thick voice.