Chapter xl. Nemesis at Last.
The gardener opened the gate to us on this occasion. He had evidently received his orders in anticipation of my arrival.
“Mrs. Valeria?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“And friend?”
“And friend.”
“Please to step upstairs. You know the house.”
Crossing the hall, I stopped for a moment, and looked at a favorite walking-cane which Benjamin still kept in his hand.
“Your cane will only be in your way,” I said. “Had you not better leave it here?”
“My cane may be useful upstairs,” retorted Benjamin, gruffly. “ I haven’t forgotten what happened in the library.”
It was no time to contend with him. I led the way up the stairs.
Arriving at the upper flight of steps, I was startled by hearing a sudden cry from the room above. It was like the cry of a person in pain; and it wa
