“Then, sir, if I may make so bold, the sooner she gets to bed again the better. It is far too late for her to be down here; the poor young lady looks half-dead,” Stern whispered, with the freedom of an old servant.
“You are right. Come, love;” and without another word Canaris led her away, leaving Stern to shake his gray head as he looked after them.
Gladys was utterly exhausted; and in the hall she faltered, saying, with a patient sigh, as she looked up the long stairway, “Dear, wait a little; it is so far,—my strength is all gone.”
Canaris caught her in his arms and carried her away, asking himself, with a remorseful pang that rent his heart,—
“Is this the murder I have committed?”
XVII.
“Stern!”
“Yes, sir.”
“What time is it?”