RIZZIO TAKES CHARGE
your things while I was down in the servants’ hall at luncheon.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes, Miss Mather, sure. Quite positive, in fact. Those waists were lying flat when I left.”
“The window wasn’t open?” asked Doris with a glance around.
“Oh, no, Miss.” She looked about and lowered her voice. “It’s somebody inside.”
“Curious,” said Doris thoughtfully. “Nothing has been taken? Is the jewel box there?”
Together they examined the things and found that nothing was missing.
“Say nothing about this, Wilson,” said Doris thoughtfully. “Unless something is taken, I shouldn’t care to disturb Lady Heathcote.”
“It can’t be” Wilson paused, her voice hushed.
“The papers are safe, Wilson—as long as I am safe,” replied the girl, and told the maid of her place of concealment.
Wilson looked dubious. “I wish you’d give them to me, Miss Mather.”
But the girl shook her head—she was thoroughly alive now to the perils which hung about her, here within the very doors of Lady Heathcote’s house, but she had determined that if she could not find it possible to keep the papers until Cyril appeared she would destroy them. She was not frightened, for however clumsy John Rizzio’s agents might be she was in no danger from himself. Whatever the interests which made the possession of the yellow packet so vital, she knew the man well enough to be sure that if there came an issue between them, he would act with her as he had always acted—the part of a gentleman.
69
