"Before to-morrow morning I will ascertain what has become of Thames, or perish in the attempt.

And now tell me what has happened to my poor mother ?" "Ever since your last capture, and Thames's mysterious disappearance, she has been dreadfully ill," replied Winifred; "so ill, that each day was expected to be her last.

She has also been afflicted with occasional returns of her terrible malady.

On Tuesday night, she was rather better, and I had left her for a short time, as I thought, asleep on the sofa in the little parlour of which she is so fond--" "Well," exclaimed Jack.
"On my return, I found the window open, and the room vacant.

She was gone." "Did you discover any trace of footsteps ?" inquired Jack eagerly.
"There were some marks near the window; but whether recently made or not could not be ascertained," replied Winifred.
"Oh God!" exclaimed Jack, in a tone of the bitterest anguish.