"Now, my good soul, you were present when Mrs. Berners was taken through the window of the flooded prison on to the boat," said Mr. Berners.
Miss Tabby stared at him aghast.
"How—how—how do you know that?" she gasped and faltered.
"My good creature, because the man who rescued her and her child and you, has written and told me how he did it, and all about it."
Miss Tabby's mouth and eyes opened wider than ever.
"And is she—is she safe?" she inquired.
"Yes, she is safe, on her way to a foreign country, where I shall follow her."
"Well, my good gracious me alive; how uncommon strange things do turn out! Well, I never did hear the like to that! Well, thanks be to goodness!" ejaculated the poor woman fervently, clasping her hands.
"Now, Miss Tabby, this letter-writer tells me that he bound you by an oath never to divulge the secret of Sybil's rescue; but, mark you, that he gives me the authority to release you from that oath, so that you may give me all the particulars of that event," said Mr. Berners, and then he waited for her to speak. But she kept a resolute silence.
"Come, Miss Tabby, tell me all about it," continued Mr. Berners, seating himself to listen to the story.