My first escapade was without visible results, but I was uneasy from that hour. I imagined all sorts of things hidden beyond that closed door.
I was walking one morning in the grounds that lay about the house, when suddenly I felt something small but perceptibly hard strike my hat and bound quickly off.
In another instant I started up. I had found a little thing like a bullet wrapped up in paper; but it was no bullet; it was a bead, a large gold bead, and on the paper which surrounded it were written these words:
"Help from the passing stranger! I am Elizabeth Ransome, owner of the house in which I have been imprisoned five years. Search for me in the upper story. You will find me there with my blind daughter. He who placed us here is below; beware his cunning."
CHAPTER IV
I LEARN HYPOCRISY
Even in that rush of confusing emotions I recognized one fact; that I must not betray by look or word that I knew this dreadful secret.
So I went in, but went in slowly and with downcast eyes. The bead and the paper I had dropped into my vinaigrette, which fortunately hung at my side.
"Humphrey," I said, "when are we going to leave this house? I begin to find it lonesome."