opened a little more, very slowly, very carefully. 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."

It was evident she was far too confused and upset to give any useful
information of any nature, even if she knew anything.

"Deede's been so strange," she said. "And Ella too. I think it's
very hard on me--dreams, too. He said he wanted her to help him get a
packing-case ready he had to send away somewhere. I don't know where. I
don't think Ella wanted to--"

"A packing-case?" Rupert muttered. "What for?"

"It's what they came upstairs to do," Mrs. Dawson said. "And--and--"
She began to cry feebly. "It's my nerves," she said. "He's looked so
strange at us all day--and neither of them has come down again."

CHAPTER XXIX. THE ATTIC

It was evident that more had occurred to make Mrs. Dawson afraid that
she would, or perhaps could, say.

"Wait here," Rupert said to her. "Don't stir." The command seemed
superfluous, for she had not at that moment the appearance of still
possessing the power to move. Without speaking again, Rupert left the
room and went quickly to the foot of the nar