Reitzei opened the door, Lind screwed out the gas, and then the three men descended the wooden staircase, their footsteps sounding through the silent house.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
SANTA CLAUS.
To save time Brand jumped into a hansom and drove down to Curzon Street. He was too much preoccupied to remember that Natalie had wished him not to come to the house. Anneli admitted him, and showed him up-stairs into the drawing-room. In a couple of seconds or so Natalie herself appeared.
"Well," said she lightly, "you have come to tell me about Santa Claus? You have discovered the mysterious messenger?"
She shut the door and went forward to him.
"What is the matter?" she said, quickly: there was something in his look that alarmed her.
He caught both her hands in his, and held them tight.
"Nothing to frighten you, at all events," said he: "no, Natalie I have good news for you. Only—only—you must be brave."