My eyes turned immediately in the direction of the secret chamber. Its entrance was closed, but I knew she was hidden there as well as if the door had been open and I had seen her.
What should I do? For a moment I hesitated, then I rushed from the room and hastened back to Mr. Felt. I found him standing with his face to the door, eagerly awaiting my return.
"What has happened?" he asked, importunately. "Your face is as pale as death."
"Because death is in the house. Madame—"
"Ah!"
"Lies not in her bed, nor is she to be found in her room. There is another place, however, in which instinct tells me we shall find her, and if we do, we shall find her dead!"
"In her daughter's room? At her daughter's bedside?"
"No; in the secret chamber."
He gazed at me with wild and haggard aspect.
"You are right," he hoarsely assented. "Let us go; let us seek her; it may not be too late."