“I was helped.”
“Helped!” repeated Abel. “Helped by what?”
“I know not yet, whether angel or devil. It has been one or the other:—according as he has, or has not, played me false.”
“As who has played you false?”
“Of whom do you suppose I speak but him?” she retorted, standing to confront Abel with her deep eyes. “Hyde Stockhausen has in some subtle manner evaded me: but I shall find him yet.”
“Hyde Stockhausen is back here,” quietly observed Abel.
“Back here! Then it is no false instinct that has led me here,” she added in a low tone, apparently communing with herself. “Is Ketira with him?”
“No, no,” said Abel, vexed at the question. “Kettie has never come back to the place since she left it.”
“When did he come?”
“It must be about two months ago.”