We
are left without excuse."
Mrs. Birtwell rose as she finished speaking, and returned to her
chamber.
CHAPTER IV.
"MR. VOSS," said the waiter as he opened the door of the
breakfast-room.
Mr. and Mrs. Birtwell left the table hurriedly and went to the
parlor. Their visitor was standing in the middle of the floor as
they entered.
"Oh, Mr. Voss, have you heard anything of Archie?" exclaimed Mrs.
Birtwell.
"Nothing yet," he replied.
"Dreadful, dreadful! What can it mean?"
"Don't be alarmed about it," said Mr. Birtwell, trying to speak in
an assuring voice. "He must have gone home with a friend. It will be
all right, I am confident."
"I trust so," replied Mr. Voss. "But I cannot help feeling very
anxious. He has never been away all night before. Something is
wrong. Do you know precisely at what time he left here?"
"I do not," replied Mr. Birtwell. "We had a large company, and I did
not note particularly the coming or going of any one."
"Doctor Angier thinks it was soon after twelve o'clock. He saw him
come out of the dressing-room and go down stairs about that time."
"How is Frances?" asked Mrs. Birtwell. "It must be a dreadful shock
to her in her weak state."
"Yes, it is dreadful, and I feel very anxious about her. If anything
has happened to Archie, it will kill her."
Tears fell over Mrs. Birtwell's face and she wrung her hands in
distress.
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