He has been like this for the last two days - and - oh,
yes, cook told me to-night that she found him actually eating dry
bread just before he went up to bed. Dry bread-think of it! Oh,
Dick, what can be the matter with him?"
"It certainly sounds mysterious," I answered, "especially as regards
the dry bread; but that of itself suggests a theory, which, as the
detective says in the story, 'I will not divulge just yet;' only
don't worry, Lisbeth, the Imp is all right."
Being now come to o1d Jasper's cottage, which stands a little apart
from the village in a by-lane, Lisbeth paused and held out her hand
for the basket.
"Don't wait for me to-night," she said, "I ordered Peter to fetch me
in the dog-cart; you see, I may be late."
"Is the old chap so very ill ?"
"Very, very ill, Dick."
"Poor old Jasper!" I exclaimed.
"Poor old Jasper!" she sighed, and her eyes were brimful of
tenderness.
"He is very old and feeble," I said, drawing her close, under
pretence of handing her the basket; "and yet with your gentle hand
to smooth my pillow, and your eyes to look into mine, I could
almost wish - "
"Hush, Dick!"
"Peter or no Peter, I think I'll wait - unless you really wish me
to say 'good-night' now?" But with a dexterous turn she eluded me,
and waving her hand hurried up the rose-bordered path.
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