"I was bringing her back to you, sir, when we met a lady and her little girl at the door of the hotel. They were on their way to the beach--and Miss Lucy begged hard to be allowed to go with them. The lady said the two children were playfellows, and she was sure you would not object.""The lady is quite right. Mrs. Zant's illness is not serious, Ihope?"
"I think not, sir. But I should like to say something in her interests. May I? Thank you." She advanced a step nearer to him, and spoke her next words in a whisper. "Take Mrs. Zant away from this place, and lose no time in doing it."Mr. Rayburn was on his guard. He merely asked: "Why?"The housekeeper answered in a curiously indirect manner--partly in jest, as it seemed, and partly in earnest.