“Yes, and all day!” added Lyon, solemnly.
“How is it that I was not awakened before?” demanded the Captain, with an injured look.
“Because we ourselves were in the same condition. It is not more than fifteen minutes since my wife awakened me.”
“In the name of heaven, then, what has befallen us all?” demanded the Captain in amazement.
“That is what we must try to find out. You must help us. I have been thinking rapidly while standing here, and the result is, that I judge we have all been drugged with opium; but whether by accident or with design, or if with design, by whom, or with what purpose, I cannot even imagine; though I do vaguely connect the fact with the mysterious visitant of the chapel,” replied Mr. Berners.
While he spoke they all turned their steps towards the chapel. And with his concluding words, they entered it in company.
The “housekeeping corner” of the chapel was in a state of confusion very much at variance with the young housekeeper’s fastidiously tidy habits.
The supper dishes lay upon the table-cloth on the floor, where they had been uncared for by the drugged and drowsy pair. And the little bed remained unmade, as it had been left by them when they ran out to look after Captain Pendleton.
Sybil saw all this at a glance, and with a flush; and forgetting for a moment everything else, she bade her husband and his guest stop where they were until she had put her “house” in order.
In this limited manner of domestic economy, it took Sybil but ten minutes to make the bed and wash the dishes. And, meanwhile, Lyon Berners made up the fire, and Clement Pendleton brought a pail of fresh water from the fountain.