Chapter 31.

Thereby hangs a tail.

It was all a hoax.

Nobody was ill.

I've been imposed upon, mainly imposed upon, and Mrs. Belden flushed and panting entered

the room where I was and proceeded to take off her bonnet.

But while doing so paused, and suddenly exclaimed, what is the matter?

How you look at me?

Has anything happened?

Something very serious has occurred, I replied.

You have been gone but a little while, but in that time a discovery has been made.

I purposely paused here that the suspense might elicit from her some betrayal.

But though she turned pale, she manifested less emotion than I expected, and I went on.

Which is likely to produce very important consequences.

To my surprise, she burst violently into tears.

I knew it.

I knew it, she murmured.

I always said it would be impossible to keep it secret if I let anybody into the house.

She is so restless.

But I forget, she suddenly said, with a frighten look.

You haven't told me what the discovery was.

Perhaps it isn't what I thought.

...