Part 30 (2/2)

There was, of course, yet another way--to give up and disclose her ident.i.ty herself. But she was now far, far too deeply involved: to confess and thus by her own act bring limitless and appalling humiliation on herself, this was unthinkable! She must go on, on, blindly on--with the desperate hope that in some manner now unseen she might in the end disentangle herself and come out of the affair undiscovered and with dignity untarnished. The two were still whispering over their predicament, when at the door sounded another knock, loud and confident. They caught at each other. The knocking was repeated.

”Who's that?” Matilda asked, at Mrs. De Peyster's prompting.

”It's Archibald,” answered a bland voice.

”Ma'am, shall I let him in?” breathed Matilda.

”We don't dare keep him out,” breathed Mrs. De Peyster.

Matilda admitted him. Even in the semi-darkness of the room, due to the green shutters being closed, Mrs. De Peyster could see that he was admirably transformed from the raven Mr. Pyecroft of the night before.

He had on a gray modish suit, with lavender tie and socks to match; and looked natty and young and spirited and quite prepared for anything.

”Good morning, sisters,” he greeted them pleasantly. ”I see you are admiring my new spring outfit. Not at all bad, is it?” He turned slowly about, for their better observation; then grinned and lowered his voice: ”It's young De Peyster's; found it in his room, and helped myself. Burned my clergyman's outfit in the kitchen range before any one was up; best to leave no clues lying around.”

He, too, had come to talk plans, and quickly Mr. Pyecroft settled them. This was a dangerous place for him, with Judge Harvey coming and going; but to stay here was a safer risk than to venture forth until the hue and cry of the police had quieted. It was a dangerous place also for his dear sister Angelica, but if on the plea of indisposition she would stay in this dusky room and would keep her disfigured face hidden when any member of the household chanced to come in (they would all understand, and sympathize with, her painful diffidence), why, there was an excellent chance of her pulling through without discovery. It was obvious that they dared not keep out Jack and Mary, and perhaps Judge Harvey, should these be inspired to make friendly calls. To forbid their visits would arouse suspicion. And if it were said Angelica was too ill to see any one, then they would demand that a doctor be called in--and a doctor would mean exposure. Their visits must be permitted; no doubt of that; but if dear Angelica were only careful, extremely careful, and kept her head, all would go well.

Yes, summarized Mr. Pyecroft, the best plan for them was to remain here for the present. Then when the safe and appropriate moment arrived, they could make their get-away.

From quite other reasons, Mrs. De Peyster accepted this plan. After the strain of the past week, particularly after the wild emotional oscillations of the preceding night, she wished just to lie there in the dusk, and breathe--and breathe--and breathe some more--and recover life.

Matilda suggested that she bring up breakfast for Mrs. De Peyster, and Mr. Pyecroft begged her to discover and set out something below for him, for his stomach was a torturing vacuum. Matilda went down, leaving Mr. Pyecroft behind in the room, discussing further details of their immediate campaign; and presently she returned, trembling, with a tray, Jack and Mary just behind her. Mrs. De Peyster did not need to be prompted to turn her face toward the wall, and into the deeper shadow that there prevailed. Mr. Pyecroft casually sat down upon the bed near its head, making an excellent further screen.

Mr. Pyecroft noted that Jack was observing his raiment. ”I trust, Mr. De Peyster, you will pardon the liberty I have taken with your clothes. My own were still wet from last night.”

”That's all right,” said Jack. ”But, say, Matilda, have your sister eat her breakfast. What we've come to talk about can wait.”

But Matilda's sister, after all, wished no breakfast. And solicitation could not rouse in her an appet.i.te.

”Very well,” said Jack. ”Then to the point. I thought we'd better all get together on the matter at once. It's about food.”

”Food?” queried Mr. Pyecroft, a bit blankly.

”Yes, and it's some problem, you bet. Here's a house that is supposed to be empty. And within this empty house are five adults. Do you get me?”

”Isn't it terrible!” cried Mary.

”Five adults,” repeated Jack. ”How are we going to get food in here for them without exciting suspicion?”

”As you say,” mused Mr. Pyecroft with a wry face, ”that is certainly some problem. My own appet.i.te is already one magnitudinous toothache.”

Jack enlarged upon their situation.

”Since Judge Harvey tipped me off to the fact that the newspapers smelled a story, and since that reporter Mayfair and other reporters began to watch this house, I've had to give up going out. We two would have starved but for what Judge Harvey and William managed to slip in to us. Even with that, we've almost starved. In fact, we've been driven by hunger about to the point of giving in, going out, acknowledging our marriage and taking the consequences.”

Mrs. De Peyster, face buried in the shadow, thrilled with a sudden rush of hope. If Jack and Mary should leave the house, then half her danger would be ended!

”But, you see, since that news yesterday about mother being so sick in Europe,” Jack continued solicitously, ”I feel that, in her weakened condition, the news of our marriage might be a very severe shock for her. So for her sake we're going to keep the thing secret for a while yet, and stick it out here.”

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