"You will see!" cried the maid, stretching out her hand to the bell.
Meg's skinny, upraised arm arrested the movement.
"Wait. See what your mistress will say," she snarled, and, moving to the side of the bed, she bent down and whispered sharply for several minutes in Nita's ear.
A low cry of horror came from the bed, and the old harpy moved aside, muttering significantly:
"I knew when I told you that, you would let me go free. Indeed, I did not mean to touch you if I could get the gold without—but you took me by surprise."
Lizette looked at her mistress for orders.
"Miss Nita, you surely won't let the old hag escape?" she cried.
"Yes, open the door," Nita cried faintly, shudderingly.
"But, Miss Nita——"
"Let the woman go!" Nita repeated, and the maid reluctantly obeyed. Then Nita said faintly: