The
clatter of hoofs ceased; the stableman was talking to some one;
suddenly she heard the stableman say, "Mrs. Barker is here." Her heart
leaped,--Van Loo had returned.
But here the voice of the other man which she had not yet heard arose
for the first time clear and distinct. "Are you quite sure? I didn't
know she left San Francisco."
The room reeled around her. The voice was George Barker's, her husband!
"Very well," he continued. "You needn't put up my horse for the night. I
may take her back a little later in the buggy."
In another moment she had swept down the passage, and burst into the
other room. Mrs. Horncastle was sitting by the table with a book in her
hand. She started as the half-maddened woman closed the door, locked it
behind her, and cast herself on her knees at her feet.
"My husband is here," she gasped. "What shall I do? In heaven's name
help me!"
"Is Van Loo still here?" said Mrs. Horncastle quickly.
"No; gone. He went when I came."
Mrs. Horncastle caught her hand and looked intently into her frightened
face. "Then what have you to fear from your husband?" she said abruptly.
"You don't understand. He didn't know I was here. He thought me in San
Francisco."
"Does he know it now?"
"Yes. I heard the stableman tell him. Couldn't you say I came here with
you; that we were here together; that it was just a little freak of
ours? Oh, do!"
Mrs.
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