Free The Golden Slipper by Anna Katharine Green Page A

and were on the sea before midnight. Do you not call that quick work as well as highly romantic?”
    “Very.” Miss Strange’s cheek had paled. It was apt to when she was greatly excited. “But I don’t understand,” she added, the moment after. “How could they do this and nobody know about it? I should have thought it would have got into the papers.”
    “They are quiet people. I don’t think they told their best friends. A simple announcement in the next day’s journals testified to the fact of their marriage, but that was all. I would not have felt at liberty to mention the circumstances myself, if the parties were not well on their way to Europe.”
    “Oh, how glad I am that you did tell me! Such a story of constancy and the hold which old associations have upon sensitive minds! But—”
    “Why, Miss? What’s the matter? You look very much disturbed.”
    “Don’t you remember? Haven’t you thought? Something else happened that very day and almost at the same time on that block. Something very dreadful—”
    “Mrs. Doolittle’s murder?”
    “Yes. It was as near as next door, wasn’t it? Oh, if this happy couple had known—”
    “But fortunately they didn’t. Nor are they likely to, till they reach the other side. You needn’t fear that their honeymoon will be spoiled that way.”
    “But they may have heard something or seen something before leaving the street. Did you notice how the gentleman looked when he returned you the keys?”
    “I did, and there was no cloud on his satisfaction.”
    “Oh, how you relieve me!” One—two dimples made their appearance in Miss Strange’s fresh, young cheeks. “Well! I wish them joy. Do you mind telling me their names? I cannot think of them as actual persons without knowing their names.”
    “The gentleman was Constantin Amidon; the lady, Marian Shaffer. You will have to think of them now as Mr. and Mrs. Amidon.”
    “And I will. Thank you, Mr. Hutton, thank you very much. Next to the pleasure of getting the house for my friend, is that of hearing this charming bit of news its connection.”
    She held out her hand and, as he took it, remarked:
    “They must have had a clergyman and witnesses.”
    “Undoubtedly.”
    “I wish I had been one of the witnesses,” she sighed sentimentally.
    “They were two old men.”
    “Oh, no! Don’t tell me that.”
    “Fogies; nothing less.”
    “But the clergyman? He must have been young. Surely there was some one there capable of appreciating the situation?”
    “I can’t say about that; I did not see the clergyman.”
    “Oh, well! it doesn’t matter.” Miss Strange’s manner was as nonchalant as it was charming. “We will think of him as being very young.”
    And with a merry toss of her head she flitted away.
    But she sobered very rapidly upon entering her limousine.
    “Hello!”
    “Ah, is that you?”
    “Yes, I want a Marconi sent.”
    “A Marconi?”
    “Yes, to the Cretic, which left dock the very night in which we are so deeply interested.”
    “Good. Whom to? The Captain?”
    “No, to a Mrs. Constantin Amidon. But first be sure there is such a passenger.”
    “Mrs.! What idea have you there?”
    “Excuse my not stating over the telephone. The message is to be to this effect. Did she at any time immediately before or after her marriage to Mr. Amidon get a glimpse of any one in the adjoining house? No remarks, please. I use the telephone because I am not ready to explain myself. If she did, let her send a written description to you of that person as soon as she reaches the Azores.”
    “You surprise me. May I not call or hope for a line from you early tomorrow?”
    “I shall be busy till you get your answer.”
    He hung up the receiver. He recognized the resolute tone.
    But the time came when the pending explanation was fully given to him. An answer had been returned from the steamer, favourable to Violet’s hopes. Mrs. Amidon had seen such a person and would send a full description of the