"Oh, what lovely fruit!" cried Susan, pausing. "I'm going to steal one," she laughed. She selected a peach and began eating it on the way up to her room.
The maid passed on into the library.
"What's this?" inquired Florence, as the maid held out the basket. She selected a peach and was about to set her white teeth into it when Jim interposed.
"Wait a moment, dear." Florence lowered the peach. Jim turned to the maid. "Who sent it?"
"I don't know, sir. A messenger brought it, saying it was for Miss Hargreave."
"Let me see if there is a card." But Jim searched in vain for the card of the donor. All at once his suspicions arose. "Don't touch them. Better let the maid throw them out. Fruit from unknown persons might not be the healthiest thing in the world."
"What do you think?"
"That in all probability they are poisoned. But there's no need trying to prove my theory right or wrong. Ask Jones. He'll tell you to throw them away."
"Horrible!" Florence shuddered. "But they do not want to poison me. I'm too valuable. They want me alive."
"Who can say?" returned Jim gloomily. "They may have learned that they can not beat us, no matter what card they turn up. I may be wrong, but take my advice and throw them away.... Good lord, what's that?" startled.