She spoke in a low tone, scarcely above a whisper, but there was such intensity in her voice, almost amounting to agony, that my heart failed me. Moreover I considered that if I went with her I should not be able to discover the thing I desired. I reflected that above everything my work must be done in secret, and to go with her would be out of accord with the plans I had been formulating. "Has the person who caused the light to shine there power over you?" I asked. "I will answer you nothing. Find out what you will and how you will, but do not seek to go with me." I do not think she fully realized what she was saying, so eager was she to be alone. I could see that she desired at all costs to be rid of me, and at that moment I thought of a plan whereby I could seemingly yield to her desires and still have my own way. "But what would you have me do?" I asked. "You desire to help me?" "Yes. I have said so. Nay, I am determined to protect you." She hesitated a second. "Then stay here until I return. I shall not be long, at least I do not think so." "But if you are in danger there?" "If I am, and I need your help, I will cry out loud enough for you to hear me." "Then I may enter?" "Then you may enter--yes, if you can." There was mockery in her tones, but it was the mockery of despair. "Very well," I replied quietly, "I will obey." She looked at me eagerly. "And you will not interfere with me?" "No." "And you will remain here hidden from sight?" "I will stay outside, hidden from sight, but I shall be near to help in case of need." She heaved a sigh as I spoke, a sigh with a tremble in it, and I knew she feared to do the work that lay before her, whatever it might be. But she did not hesitate. Walking in the direction of the house, which was about a musket shot away, I saw her walk steadily across the open space that lay between me and the house, and a little later was lost behind the dark shrubs that grew close to what I thought looked like the entrance to the building.