“I never will be well, though, till I go abroad,” added the girl with a smile, which made her look still more lovely. “The doctor said so long ago, but father is so poor and has to work so hard for every penny, that till lately he could not think of it. But now it’s settled that I’m to go before the winter comes on. Father has got the money from some one. He wouldn’t say who it was, but it’s a kind friend anyhow who would lend such a sum—and I’m to get strong and go back to service next spring.”
Her very heart seemed to overflow with exultation and proud hope as she uttered the words. It almost drew tears to my eyes to witness her joy.
“Then your father was with you in this house all night? You’re quite sure of that?” I said, reverting to the old theme.
“Oh, quite, for he was never away from my bedside. He did not go to bed at all, seeing me so ill, but just dovered the best way he could in that big chair. I watched him all the time, and when he did fall asleep I couldn’t help crying a little to think what a hard lot he has, all on account of me being so weak and ill. What I would give for strength to work and slave for him as he deserves—oh, what I would give!”
“And the bunches of keys he has—the keys of the houses that are empty just now—where were they all the time?”
“Oh, in the box there,” said the housekeeper, taking up the question at once, and without the slightest trepidation. “I put them in there myself. They lie there every nicht.”
“And would it not be possible for any one to get at them there?” I pursued. “I mean any one who wished to make use of them to effect a robbery at one of the houses?”
“Oh, no! They both assured me that such a thing was impossible. Not a soul ever came near the house, and certainly no one had been within the door on that particular night.” The daughter concluded by saying proudly that she was quite sure that no one would ever get near the houses, or into them, so long as her father had charge of the places. He was so careful and reliable, that he was better than twenty policemen.
“He has not told you, then, that one of the houses has been entered?” I said, in an unguarded moment of surprise.
“No; was it really?” they both exclaimed in a breath.