"An hour later, one of many messengers who were searching for Pym met
him, and told him that Lilama was found. He hastened to the house in
which they had found her--a small frame structure, the residence of her
former nurse.
"At the entrance of this house stood Peters, waiting for his young
friend; and as Pym felt the hand of the old sailor, put forth to stop
him in his breathless haste, and as he looked into the hard, rugged face
of his old friend, he knew that he must nerve himself for a shock. Alas!
His surmise was only too correct. They entered the main room of the
house together, Peters in the rear. Drawing aside from the entrance to
the room a portiere--Peters had already visited the room--Pym passed in,
Peters remaining on the outer side of the curtained doorway, that he
might prevent others from following, or even from viewing the young
friend who was now to receive one of the keenest stabs with which
Destiny ever pierces the human heart.
"For a moment Pym would wholly have mistaken the scene before him, had
Peters not said a word of warning as the portiere fell behind his young
friend.
"On the lounge which stood against the farther wall as he entered, lay
an elderly woman, apparently asleep; and covering her were the outer
wraps--scanty, indeed, for such a day--of Lilama.
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