“Gone away?” And her face paled with astonishment.
“Yes; he left the hotel a little before daylight this morning, telling the clerk he was returning to New York. But sit down, my dear young lady, and call up all your fortitude, for I fear I have most unpleasant news for you,” exclaimed Doctor Burns solicitously, and as she sank nervously into the nearest seat he continued: “I almost fear that this Dallas Bain is unworthy of your regard. Has there not always been something mysterious about the young man?”
“Oh, Doctor Burns, do not you also join the ranks of his traducers!” Daisie faltered, clasping her little hands together, tears welling into her beautiful eyes.
Then she looked up into his benevolent old face, and was startled at the fatherly pity that beamed from his kind gray eyes.
Drawing his chair close to hers, he regarded her kindly, saying:
“I have something very strange to tell you, but perhaps you will be able to explain the mystery of it, since you know Mr. Bain so well.”
His voice was so grave that she felt an icy chill run over her frame, and her lips refused to utter a word, so he continued:
“About two hours after midnight a young woman dressed in black, and so heavily veiled as to be unrecognizable, called at the hotel, and insisted on having Dallas Bain called up, as she had very important news for him.
“The clerk sent the porter upstairs for Mr. Bain, and he was found up and dressed, not having retired yet. He came down quickly, and the young woman insisted on having a private interview with him. He yielded, and they were alone some moments in the clerk’s private office. They came out, and the woman hurried away, and the man, looking as though he had seen a ghost, went quickly upstairs to his room again. In half an hour he came down, paid his bill, and said he was returning to New York by the first train. He had no baggage, having only arrived the evening before, and said he would walk to the train.
“Well, the curious part of the story is, the hotel porter, prompted by curiosity, followed the veiled lady in black. She went directly to the station, and the porter, remaining to watch her, saw her finally board the train for New York. Directly Dallas Bain came hurrying up, and leaped on the train just as it was pulling out of the station.