“Then you can tell me nothing about it?” he asked, with a look of keen disappointment.
“No; I cannot. I was away from Lady Hermione’s room half an hour, not more, and it must have been changed in that time, if it were changed at all.”
“You saw no one enter the room?”
“No, Sir Ronald; not that I remember.”
“I shall expect you to keep most perfect silence concerning this inquiry,” said Sir Ronald. “I cannot make it public or I would. Remember, that if you can find out anything which will bring the mystery to light, I will give you, not fifty, but a hundred pounds.”
“I will do my best,” she replied; “but I have not much hope. If it were done by any person in the house they took such precaution as would insure its never being known.”
But as Sir Ronald walked away a peculiar expression flashed into the woman’s face, one of wonder, surprise and pain.
“What is it?” asked the groom. “Do you remember anything?”
“No,” she replied; but her voice was peculiar, and during the remainder of the walk home Susan Fielding spoke never a word.