"Absurd! There's no fruit this early in the year. Besides, even if it were true, she wouldn't have to repeat the process again to-night. What else haven't you told me?" I laughed and recounted my adventures from the moment Mrs. Lawrence gave me her daughter's telegram until that other moment when Lucy Kingdon left me alone in the darkened library. He listened without interruption, his eyes on the glimmer of light at the ventilator. "Yes," he said, "I saw Lucy Kingdon leave the house a few minutes ago. Her sister's alone there now. What do you suppose she's doing in the cellar?" "I can't imagine." "You could see nothing?" "Not a thing except her shadow moving back and forth." "Moving back and forth?" "Yes; it seemed to me that she was alternately rising and stooping, as though she were going through some sort of exercise." "She'd hardly go into the cellar at midnight to exercise." "No, of course not. But that's the only explanation I could think of, unless she's bowing up and down before an idol." Godfrey laughed grimly. "That would be a unique solution," he said. "Fancy our headlines: 'Devil Worship at Elizabeth! Fantastic Midnight Orgies in a Cellar!' Wouldn't that stir the public? But I'm afraid it's a little too fantastic. Could you hear anything?" "Only the faintest of faint sounds. I couldn't make anything of them." "Well, there wouldn't be any sounds at all if she were merely bobbing up and down before an idol. Was she alone last night?" "Yes. Her sister spent the night with Mrs. Lawrence. Godfrey," I added, "you haven't told me yet why you sent that telegram. Has Miss Lawrence returned?" "Not that I know of. Furthermore, I don't think she will return very soon." "Then you think she really sailed?" "I think--I don't know what to think, Lester. Give me a moment more. Isn't there a window to the cellar?" "Yes, but it's closely curtained." "Well, I'm going to take a look, myself," he said. "Wait here for me, and be as patient as you can." I saw him go cautiously forward toward the ventilator, and stoop down before it. He remained there motionless for some moments, then disappeared around a corner of the house. I sat there waiting for him, thinking not without some chagrin, that, as usual, he had pumped me dry, and given nothing in return. It was really unfair of Godfrey to expect every one to play into his hands. And yet, I reflected, if he hadn't wanted to be friendly, he would scarcely have taken the trouble to send me that message. I looked up to see his tall figure coming toward me through the darkness. He dropped beside me, and sat for a moment silent--only, as I caught a glimpse of his face, I was startled to see how white it was.