Lyon Berners was also mounted. They were ready to start. With a mutual “God bless you,” the friends parted.
Lyon and Sybil took the dark road.
Captain Pendleton unlocked the door that had been locked by Mr. Berners, but as he pushed to open it he felt an obstruction, and instantly afterwards heard some one run away.
“A listener,” he thought, in dismay as he pursued the fugitive. But he only caught a glimpse of a figure disappearing through the front door and into the darkness without, in which it was lost.
“An eavesdropper!” he exclaimed, in despair. “An eavesdropper! Who now can be assured of her safety? Oh, Sybil! you rejected my hand, and very nearly ruined my life. But this night I would die to save you,” he sighed, as he went and joined the gentlemen who were sitting up watching, or rather dozing, in the parlor, while waiting for the physician’s or the coroner’s arrival.
“Where is Mrs. Berners?” inquired the old Judge, rousing himself up.
“She retired to her chamber about an hour ago,” answered Captain Pendleton, telling the truth, but not the whole truth, as you will perceive.
“Hum, ha, yes; well, and where is her husband?”
“He followed her there,” answered the Captain, shortly.
“Ha, hum, yes, well. The coroner is long in coming,” grumbled the Judge.