It was wide enough now to admit of entry, and through
the opening there sidled, pale and red-eyed, Ella's mother, looking
so frail and feeble and so ruffled and disturbed she reminded Rupert
irresistibly of a frightened hen.
She edged her way in as though she dared not open the door too
widely, and Rupert hesitated in great perplexity and vexation, for
he saw that he must show himself, and he feared that she would
announce his presence by flight or screams.
But he could not possibly get away without her knowledge; and
besides, she might be able to give him useful information.
He stood up quickly, with his finger to his lips. "Hush!" he said.
"Not a sound--not a sound." The warning seemed unnecessary, for
Mrs. Dawson appeared too paralysed with fear to utter even the
faintest cry as she dropped tremblingly on the nearest chair.
"Hush! Hush!" he said. "Where is Ella?"
"I--I don't know," quavered Mrs. Dawson.
"When did you see her last?"
"A little while ago," Mrs. Dawson faltered. "She went upstairs.
She didn't come down, so I thought I would try to find her."
"Where's Deede Dawson?" Rupert asked.
"I--I don't know," she quavered again.
"When did you see him last?"
"I--I--a little while ago," she faltered. "He went upstairs--he
didn't come down again. I thought I would try to find her--him--I
was so frightened when they didn't either of them come down again.
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