Into the library she went and, opening the closet door, began to work the combination that unlocked the safe.
Absorbed in her occupation, she did not hear a slight noise behind her. But suddenly a voice said; softly, “Oh, it’s you, ma’am! I thought it was a robber!”
Minna turned quickly to see Martha, the waitress, staring at her.
As she already had the safe door open and was about to take out the parcel she was after, she was annoyed at any interruption.
“Martha!” she exclaimed, though in a low whisper, “what are you doing here? Go back to bed!”
“Yes, ma’am. I thought I heard robbers, ma’am.”
“No; it’s only I. I have to see about some important papers, and I can’t sleep, so I’m attending to it now. Go back to your room at once, Martha.”
“Yes, ma’am,” and the girl obeyed.
Drawing a sigh of relief, Minna took her precious parcel, shut the safe, and went softly back to her own room. She put the package beneath her mattress, locked her bedroom door, and soon fell asleep, worn out with weariness and exhaustion.
“Great doin’s,” grumbled the cook, as Martha, who shared her room, returned to it, “where you been?”