“Oh,” cried Gretel, “is she really so ill as that? Mr. Becker said she was to have an operation, but I didn’t think it was to be this afternoon. He said she wanted to see me. Did she get worse after he telephoned?”
“Our dear Anna is very ill,” said Mrs. Becker, speaking as if she were repeating a lesson. “They have taken her to the hospital. Will you not sit down and take coffee with us? I will bring it in at once.”
“You are very kind,” said Gretel, “but I don’t think I can wait. Perhaps I might be able to see Fräulein at the hospital. Mr. Becker said she was so very anxious to see me, and I am going to Washington with my brother to-night.”
“You cannot go to the hospital,” said Mrs. Becker, in the same dull voice; “it would not be allowed. Even I, Anna’s aunt, cannot go. My husband will explain.” And once more motioning towards the plush-covered sofa, Mrs. Becker left the room.
Gretel sat down on the edge of the sofa. There seemed nothing else to do, but she was beginning to feel very uncomfortable. She was afraid her old friend must be very ill, Mrs. Becker spoke and looked so strangely. Perhaps Fräulein had died suddenly, and they did not like to tell her. There was a moment of silence; then the sound of approaching footsteps, and Fräulein’s uncle came into the room.
“I beg a thousand pardons for bringing you here under false pretenses,” he said, apologetically, “but when I telephoned an hour ago my dear niece—what is it, my dear young lady—are you not well?”
With a little inarticulate cry, Gretel had sunk back on the sofa, and every particle of color had left her face. As the light from the one window fell on Mr. Becker’s face, she recognized it. She knew now why the face of that waiter at the New London hotel had seemed so familiar. That waiter was Fräulein’s uncle!
CHAPTER XI
GRETEL PROVES HER LOYALTY
Gretel started to her feet, with a wild, half-formed idea of making her escape, but the portly form of Mr. Becker stood between her and the door, and she sat down again, feeling suddenly cold, and rather sick.