"What shall we do with her?" again exclaimed Corkins, touching the coffin with his foot.
The Madam was troubled. "The red book!" she muttered, in an absent way, "the red book!" Her mind was evidently wandering. "It must be regained at any price."
"But—this—body," interrupted Corkins, tapping the coffin with his foot.
"Oh! this!" exclaimed the Madam, and a pleasant smile stole over her face.
"Oh! as to this! we can easily dispose of it. I tell you, Corkins, we will—"
But she did not tell Corkins. For, from the adjoining room, came a cry, so ringing with the emphasis of mortal agony, that even the Madam was struck with terror, as she heard it.
Without a word, she led Corkins into the chamber of Alice.