as he found the place--has he?"

"Not yet."

Elsie could not even groan; her breath came in quick gasps; her hands
tore madly at the carpet, but Elizabeth leaned motionless against the
window-sill, watching always with that strained gaze.

"Where is he now, Bessie?"

"He has not reached it--he is near! No! he is digging again--he has not
found the place."

"If we could only stop him," cried Elsie, roused to new courage. "If I
opened my window and called out."

"Too late, too late!"

"But he will find it--he will find it!"

"Then God help me, I can do no more!"

Elsie sprang up with another shriek.

"You'll tell--you'll tell! I know you will give way--and Grant will
murder you--murder us all."

Elizabeth caught the frantic creature in her arms, and forced her back
on the couch.

"Lie still," she said.

"Let me go, I say--let me go! I want to die--I won't live after he finds
you out. I'll kill you, Elizabeth, if you don't let me go."

But Elizabeth held her firmly in spite of her insane struggles, crying
out:

"It is nothing to you--you have no cause to fear. You are mad, mad! I
tell you the trouble is mine; whatever comes falls on my head; be still,
Elsie."

"You promise. Swear it--swear not to bring my name in."

"I have sworn and I will keep my oath," returned Elizabeth. "Disgrace,
infamy, death--I will bear them all alone. What should I gain by
dragging you down with me?"

She fell away from the girl as she spoke, but Elsie did not attempt to
rise; she lay still now, exhausted by her recent violence, and reassured
by Elizabeth's promise.

Again the woman leaned against the window-sill and looked out towards
the tree. Mellen was at work still, more furiously than ever, throwing
up great shovelsful of earth and dashing them down with frantic haste.

"Is he there yet?" called Elsie.

"Yes, yes! How he works--dig--dig--dig!"

She stopped suddenly: the silence raised wilder horror in Elsie's mind.

"Has he found it?"

"Not yet. He is standing still now, he is throwing the earth back."

"What now--what now?" called Elsie, when Elizabeth paused.

"He is looking about--he is puzzled. There is only that place left--he
will miss it. The shadows are blackest there."

Another instant of intent watching, then a low cry.

"He is there--he is there!"

"Stop him!" shrieked Elsie. "Shout to him!"

Elizabeth whispered hoarsely:

"Too late! too late!"

"Is he digging?"

"Yes; wait--wait!"