Murder of a Lady by Anthony Wynne Read Free Book Online Page A

further to probe the secret. At last he said:
    â€œI may be wrong but Duchlan impressed me as a man who would sacrifice anybody to his family pride. I fancy he has persuaded himself that his position as head of his family is a responsibility which must at all costs be discharged. He was prepared to let you drown. Your life constituted, I conclude, a danger to his family.”
    â€œPlease don’t go on. I…I can’t bear it. Not just now at any rate.”
    She pleaded rather than protested. She was leaning heavily on his arm.
    â€œForgive me.”
    They reached the carriage-way and turned left handed towards Darroch Mor. After a few paces she stopped to breathe.
    â€œWill you not leave me here?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œIf you only understood.”
    â€œPerhaps I do understand.”
    She seemed to summon all her courage. She began to walk again and slowly and painfully they came to the lodge where Duchlan had turned back.
    â€œI can’t go to Darroch Mor.”
    He thought that she was about to try to escape from him, but realized a moment later, when she sank down on her knees, how greatly he had overestimated her strength. He bent and picked her up and carried her some way in his arms.
    â€œCan you walk a little now?”
    â€œYes, I think so.”
    She made an attempt but failed. Again he carried her and again found himself overcome.
    â€œWe stayed too long on the shore.”
    She did not answer. She did not seem to care what happened or where he took her, so long as he didn’t take her back to Duchlan. After what seemed a long time, they came to the gate of Darroch Mor. She drew back suddenly:
    â€œI can’t come in.”
    She stood facing him; he could see that she was panic-stricken like a hunted creature.
    â€œHow can you stay out here?”
    She shook her head.
    â€œYou don’t understand.”
    â€œI refuse to leave you. Very soon Colonel MacCallien will come to look for me.”
    She caught at his arm, and held it in tense fingers.
    â€œWere you alone when you rescued me?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œBut Duchlan was watching?”
    â€œHe may have been.”
    â€œDid he see you rescue me?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    She glanced at the moon.
    â€œIf he was watching he must have seen. He’ll know that we’ve come here.”
    â€œPerhaps.”
    She shuddered.
    â€œHe’ll send Eoghan.”
    Suddenly she grew still, listening. They heard footsteps approaching from the direction of Duchlan.
    Dr. Hailey turned and saw a tall man striding toward them. He flashed the beam of his torch on the man’s face. The girl uttered a cry of dismay.

Chapter VII
    A Woman Who Sees a Ghost
    Her husband’s arrival exerted a singular effect on Oonagh. She seemed to gather her wits and discipline them in an instant. When Eoghan demanded in tones in which anxiety and anger were mingled why she had left Duchlan, she answered:
    â€œBecause I had something to say to Dr. Hailey.”
    The words were spoken with a degree of assurance which was the more remarkable from the brightness of the moon. It seemed to the doctor that Gregor must observe the condition of his wife’s clothing. But apparently he was too agitated to observe anything.
    â€œIt’s dreadfully inconsiderate of you,” he cried, “especially at such a time. My father roused me to come to look for you. He’s terribly distressed.”
    â€œHe knows that I wished to talk to Dr. Hailey.”
    â€œBut not at this hour, surely!”
    â€œDid your father tell you where to find me?”
    â€œHe said you might be here.”
    â€œHe knew where I was.”
    Eoghan remained silent, gazing at his wife. He faced the moon and Dr. Hailey saw that his features expressed a deep melancholy.
    â€œI should like you to come back with me now.”
    â€œNo, Eoghan.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI can’t come back to Duchlan.”
    A look of