"
"It is a curious coincidence,"--her voice normal and unagitated.
I was confused. "Then I am mistaken?"--my chagrin evident. (All this
while, mind you, I was wondering if that cellar-door was unlocked, and
how long it would take me to reach it before the denouement!)
"One way or the other, it does not matter," said she.
"Yet, if I could reach the cellars,"--absently. Then I bit my tongue.
"Cellars? Who said anything about cellars? I meant that this is not
the hour for unmasking or disclosing one's identity,"--coldly.
"And yet, when Caesar whispered 'Beware the ten of hearts' you turned
and shuddered. What have you to offer in defense?"
"It was the horrid mask he wore."
"Well, it wasn't handsome of him."
"What did you mean by cellars?"--suddenly becoming the inquisitor in
her turn.
"I? Oh, I was thinking what I should do in case of fire,"--nimbly.
"That is not the truth."
"Well, no, it isn't. Can you keep a secret?" I whispered.
"If it isn't a terrible one."
"Well, I have no earthly business here. I am an impostor."
"An impostor!"
"Yes. And for the past few minutes, since I heard of the robbery, I've
been thinking how I could get out of here upon the slightest notice."
While the reckless spirit was upon me, I produced the fatal card and
showed the back to her.
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