“Were you at any other person’s house?”
“No, I was not,” she answered quietly. Oh, what does it all mean?
“Do you mean to deny that you were at the Clairvoyant’s from half past four to about five?” Mrs. Dane said in her most judicial manner.
Lilian flushed indignantly but her voice was unsteady as she said—“I was not there, if you”—then she paused.
“Think again. I saw you walking about nearly at the corner. I went to make a call on a friend who is ill. When I came out I walked a few doors, when I saw the Clairvoyant’s door open and a girl stepped out on the stoop. I think there was some one behind her. She saw me and bolted back in the hall. There are just two girls in the school who have light blue Tams. Miss Arnold went to a musicale and found hers lying on the bed just where she left it. I watched, but you did not come out again. Then I walked around to the rear but saw no one. I had a fair glance at your face, I think I cannot be mistaken.”
Lilian was speechless with amazement.
“I met Miss Trenham at the side of the park and we walked together a short distance. Believe it or not, I went to no one’s house.”
“It is important for us to know the truth on account of the terrible ending,” said Mrs. Barrington gravely. “Two boys have been ill with what their mother thought was measles. The doctor was not sent for until noon, and did not get there until nearly six. He found one boy dead of malignant scarlet fever, the other dying and one girl seriously ill. So you see we cannot afford to have contagion brought in the house!”
“Oh, what a horrible thing!” Lilian cried. Then she faced Mrs. Dane. “Oh, you are mistaken, as God hears me, I was not in that house nor on that side of the street,” and she almost gasped for breath.
“You may go to your room. You will be excused from study hour tonight. We must consider. I am glad it is so near closing time.”