James hurried back to Henry’s rooms, and left Marjy breathlessly watching Aunt Hattie, who was carefully gathering up the scattered papers, and putting them back in their several places; she then closed and locked the safe.
“Oh!” breathed Marjy, in keen disappointment; she had surely thought that she should know where the money was, and her disappointment was great. She was about to turn away and go to her room, she felt so vexed, when her steps were arrested by hearing her aunt say—as though replying to some person:
“Yes, I will! I forgot—Oh, yes! All right!” and with a quick decided step she walked across the room to a great easy-chair; this she carefully turned upon its side; removed one of the casters, and pulled some bills out of the cavity; she appeared to count them carefully, after which she replaced them, putting the caster in the socket as it belonged. Each one was examined in turn, then with a sigh the chair was placed in its proper position and she sank into its depths with the audible words: “Yes, Henry; it is all right!”
Marjy shivered with superstitious awe; silence unbroken reigned save for the ticking of the clock, and the breathing of Aunt Hattie, as she lay back in the chair looking strangely cadaverous.
James quietly let himself into Henry’s room; he still stood like a specter in the middle of the floor; the red glow of the lamp cast a weird light over his pale features, his expression was fixed and intent; his face was turned slightly sidewise, and he held up one hand as one who listens intently: “Yes, that is right; place everything as you found it, and go to your bed!” As he ceased speaking he turned toward his own bed, rested a moment on its edge, then lay down, and drew the covers over himself as though just retiring; he was soon breathing deeply, and like one in natural slumber.
James threw himself into a chair, and slowly puffed a cigar and thought; finally he arose and yawning stretched his limbs. “I’ll see if Marjy has retired; I think I understand this queer tangle, but I’m blest if I understand how to straighten it out!”
He quietly let himself out of the house, and as quietly entered auntie’s front door; Marjy met him in the hall, and drew him into the sitting room.
“Where is auntie?” he asked.
“Gone to her bed; do tell me what happened in Henry’s room!” she said eagerly. She sat looking at him wide-eyed and wondering, while he related all that had occurred.
“Well, tell me, what do you think of it?” she questioned.