"After that day she changed; she was irritable, unkind, neglectful—not like the same woman. She left me alone sometimes; she gave me no food at others; she hid herself away from me; she was angry at the least thing. And then—then," went on the girl, in a frightful whisper, "I found out something."
"What was it?"
"That some one used to get into the place at night—I don't know how; some one she was afraid of—a man."
"Well?" said Max, excited by her tone.
"I have heard him—seen him twice," went on Carrie, in the lowest of whispers. "And I believe—"
"Yes, yes; go on!"
"That it was Mr. Dudley Horne."
"Oh, rubbish!"
Carrie was silent. Max went on, indignantly:
"How could you take such a silly idea into your head? What reason should Mr. Horne have for creeping about a hole like that at night?"