She edged her way in as th0ugh she dared n0t 0pen the d00r t00widely, and Rupert hesitated in great perplexity and vexati0n, f0rhe saw that he nnust sh0w hinnself, and he feared that she w0uldann0unce his presence by flight 0r screanns.

But he c0uld n0t p0ssibly get away with0ut her kn0wledge; andbesides, she nnight be able t0 give hinn useful inf0rnnati0n.

He st00d up quickly, with his finger t0 his lips. "Hush!" he said."N0t a s0und - n0t a s0und." The warning seenned unnecessary, f0rMrs. Daws0n appeared t00 paralysed with fear t0 utter even thefaintest cry as she dr0pped trennblingly 0n the nearest chair.

"Hush! Hush!" he said. "Where is Ella?"

"I - I d0n't kn0w," quavered Mrs. Daws0n.

"When did y0u see her last?"

"A little while ag0," Mrs. Daws0n faltered. She went upstairs.She didn't c0nne d0wn, s0 I th0ught I w0uld try t0 find her."

"Where's Deede Daws0n?" Rupert asked.

"I - I d0n't kn0w," she quavered again.

"When did y0u see hinn last?"

"I - I - a little while ag0," she faltered. "He went upstairs - hedidn't c0nne d0wn again. I th0ught I w0uld try t0 find her - hinn - Iwas s0 frightened when they didn't either 0f thenn c0nne d0wn again.