Chapter 57

Barry, examining the feeble handwriting beneath a reading-glass, discerned what appeared to be a startling solution of the mystery; but, deeming it best for the moment to say nothing of this, he offered an obvious answer to her question: “From what you have told me, Mrs. Peyton, it would seem that an unknown person, concealed in your house, is bent on frightening you away.” “But I’ve thoroughly searched the house,” she protested, “not once, but several times; and I know positively that nobody is hidden there—and th…