"There is one other thing I would
like to say, if I dared."
"Be fearless."
She plunged. "If Heaven should grant that I may find the Rose, I
implore you not to distress me by offering me the reward you are
holding out. I could not take it. I know you can ill afford it.
Further than that, to have the joy of giving you back your Rose would
be reward enough for me. And to know that she was safe with you,
though I--I should never see her again, that would make me happy till
the end of my days."
Her nobility smote Mr. Marrapit. Cruelly, shamefully, he _had_
misjudged her. Her handkerchief pressed to her eyes, very gently Mrs.
Major closed the door; very soberly mounted the stairs.
Out of earshot, she walked briskly to her room; drew forth her diary;
in a bold hand inscribed:
"_Absolutely certain shall stick._"
The masterly woman lunched in town.
CHAPTER II.
Mrs. Major Finds The Lock.
I.
By six o'clock Mrs. Major had all ready for her adventure. In the
little room at Angel Street she deposited a newly purchased basket; at
eight o'clock started for Sussex Gardens.
Twice, while passing down the terrace at about nine, she had seen the
cat she now pursued let out for what was doubtless its nightly run.
On each occasion she had observed the same order of events, and she
judged them to be of regular occurrence.
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