Go over there
in the corner where you won't see it. Stay!" he added, seeing how
pale the girl had become, "you shall have some brandy!"
He produced a flask and measured her out, a portion in the cup.
Suddenly, the door leading from the bar opened and a woman came
into the room. Her black velvet dress, her gray hair and general
air of distinction made her a bizarre figure in that squalid room
lit by the guttering candle.
"Time we were off!" she said to Strangwise, "Bellward's just
coming down!"
"There's the maid..." began Strangwise, looking meaningly at
Barbara.
The woman in black velvet cast a questioning glance at him.
Strangwise nodded.
"I'll do it," said the woman promptly, "if you'll call her down!"
Strangwise went to the other door of the tap-room and called:
"Marie!"
There was a step outside and the maid came in, pale and
trembling.
"Your mistress wants you; she is downstairs in the cellar," he
said pleasantly.
Marie hesitated an instant and surveyed the group.
"Non, non," she said nervously, "je n'veux pas descendre!"
Strangwise smiled, showing his teeth.
"No need to be frightened, ma fille," he replied. "Madame here
will go down with you!" and he pointed to the woman in black
velvet.
This seemed to reassure the maid and she walked across the room
to the door, the woman following her.
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