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“Indeed He was very apologetic, insisting that I wait here until you or he came back”

“And you’re not hurt?”

“What could possibly befallto amuse myself while I wait? The pianoforte is in terrible need of tuning Several of the bass keys don’t even work”

I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of such a statement

And Iwas amiss “Tell me, what troubles you so?”

“Nothing”

“’Tis so,” she said “I can see it in your eyes”

I considered shielding her from the truth, not because she was a woain and worried shethe sordid truth Still, I wanted no lies between us “My cousin was the ineers and the detective”

As , a look of horror clouded her eyes She shook her head “No”

Fearing that ized

She said nothing for several seconds, then, “He was lying toyou?”

“No Hised to call for help When I couldn’t find you—” The veryher to the pianoforte bench so that she ht sit

“I was in the sae as that madman?”

“I’s, I would”

Her hand went to herlips Suddenly she reached forfor me?”