"Have you anything more to say to me?" asked my lady, still as eager as
ever to be out of the Sergeant's society.
The great Cuff opened the washing-book, understood it perfectly in half
a minute, and shut it up again. "I venture to trouble your ladyship with
one last question," he said. "Has the young woman who brought us this
book been in your employment as long as the other servants?"
"Why do you ask?" said my lady.
"The last time I saw her," answered the Sergeant, "she was in prison for
theft."
After that, there was no help for it, but to tell him the truth. My
mistress dwelt strongly on Rosanna's good conduct in her service, and
on the high opinion entertained of her by the matron at the reformatory.
"You don't suspect her, I hope?" my lady added, in conclusion, very
earnestly.
"I have already told your ladyship that I don't suspect any person in
the house of thieving--up to the present time."
After that answer, my lady rose to go up-stairs, and ask for Miss
Rachel's keys. The Sergeant was before-hand with me in opening the door
for her. He made a very low bow. My lady shuddered as she passed him.
We waited, and waited, and no keys appeared.
Pages:
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222