ng, and
it's my belief she did. But don't you fret, Aurora; she'll never speak
again--I'd take my oath on that--and if I dared, I'd say I wish Almighty
God would strike her dumb for saying what she has."

They had reached the house. She lifted her face to the light burning in
her bedroom.

"Oh, my boy--my boy--" she moaned beneath her breath. Octavius helped
her out, and holding the reins in one hand, with the other supported her
to the steps; her knees gave beneath her.--"Oh, where is he
to-night--what shall I do!--Think for me, Tave, act for me, or I shall
go mad--"

Octavius leaned to the carriage and threw the reins around the
whipstock.

"Aurora," he grasped her firmly by the arm, "give me the key."

She handed it to him; he opened the door; led her in; called loudly for
Ellen; and when the frightened girl came hurrying down from her room, he
bade her see to Mrs. Googe while he went for the doctor.

XVII

"The trouble is she has borne up too long."

The doctor was talking to Father Honore while untying the horse from the
hitching-post at the kitchen porch.

"She has stood it longer than I thought she could; but without the
necessary sleep even her strong constitution and splendid physique can't
supply sufficient nerve force to withstand such a strain--it's fearful.
Something had to give somewhere. Practically she hasn't slept for over
three weeks, and, what's more, she won't sleep till--she knows one way
or the other. I can't give her opiates, for the strain has weakened her
heart--I mean functionally." He stepped into the carriage. "You haven't
heard anything since yesterday morning, have you?"

"No; but I'm inclined to think that now he has put them off the track
and got them over the border, he will make for New York again. It's my
belief he will try to get out of the country by that door instead of by
way of Canada."

"I never thought of that." He gathered up the reins, and, leaning
forward from the hood, looked earnestly into the priest's eyes. "Make
her talk if you can--it's her only salvation. She hasn't opened her lips
to me, and till she speaks out--you understand--I can do nothing. The
fever is only the result of the nerve-strain."

"I wish it were in my power to help her. I may as well tell you
now--but I'd like it to remain between ourselves, of course I've told
the Colonel--that I determined last night to go down to New York and see
if I can accomplish anything. I shall have two priva