He studied again the yellowed writing.
“It is beyond price, for my mother wrote it!”
He put the book away and looked at Sibyl.
“The way I chanced to hear of the story was very queer,” Sibyl explained. “And the way it has turned out justifies the superstitious spasm which took me to that fortune teller. Sanders was coming out of her room as I went in. I had seen him in Paradise Valley, and so recognized him, though he did not notice me. When I passed in I spoke to the woman about him, telling her that I knew him; and then she gave me the story she had drawn from him, or which in a confidential moment he had told her. I saw the value of it to you, if true. I had an interview with him for the purpose of verifying it; and then I arranged this meeting, for I thought you ought to receive it straight from him.”
Justin thanked her again.
“I think I should like to see Lucy now,” he said, “if you have no objection.”
Sibyl seemed embarrassed, as she answered:
“I’m sorry to have to say that the servants inform me that she has gone out with Mary to spend the night with a friend in another part of the city. I thought she would be here, and I was sure you would want to have a talk with her after that.”
Justin was disappointed.
“I might as well be going then. It is late; too late I suppose to call on her at the place where she is stopping. I will see her to-morrow evening.”