He was there. He stood on the threshold of the inn, waiting for
me, as it seemed, although it was not yet the hour of my
appointment. As they drew me up to the door, I saw his tall,
straight figure and his red hair by the light of the hall lamps.
By Heaven, I felt as a lost child must on sight of his mother! I
stretched out my hand to him, over the side of the wagon,
murmuring, "I've lost it."
He started at the words, and sprang forward to me. Then he turned
quickly to the carrier.
"This gentleman is my friend," he said. "Give him to me. I'll
speak to you later." He waited while I was lifted down from the
wagon into the arms that he held ready for me, and himself
carried me across the threshold. I was quite clear in the head by
now and understood all that passed. There were one or two people
in the hall, but Mr. Rassendyll took no heed of them. He bore me
quickly upstairs and into his sitting-room. There he set me down
in an arm-chair, and stood opposite to me. He was smiling, but
anxiety was awake in his eyes.
"I've lost it," I said again, looking up at him pitifully enough.
"That's all right," said he, nodding. "Will you wait, or can you
tell me?"
"Yes, but give me some brandy," said I.
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