Rosemary's head fell upon her breast.
"I don't know," she murmured.
But Elza put her podgy finger under Rosemary's chin, and forced her to look up.
"Don't lie to me, darling," she pleaded softly, "tell me the truth."
"I have told you the truth, Elza," Rosemary protested through her tears.
"Then I must believe you, if you say so. And yet it is all very mysterious. Why should Naniescu wait? Why should he play with those poor children, like a cat does with a mouse? You know, Rosemary darling, what the gipsy said in the end?"
Rosemary shook her head.
"He said that the stranger within the gates had the power to save my son from death. Have you that power, Rosemary?"
"No! No!" Rosemary protested wildly. "If it were in my power, don't you think that I would do anything in the world to save Philip and Anna?"
Elza nodded.