, formerly of
Zurich, aged 77."
Miss Vanstone was present in the room when I read those two startling
lines. Her bonnet was on; her boxes were packed; she was waiting
impatiently until it was time to go to the train. I handed the paper to
her, without a word on my side. Without a word on hers, she looked where
I pointed, and read the news of Michael Vanstone's death.
The paper dropped out of her hand, and she suddenly pulled down her
veil. I caught one glance at her face before she hid it from me. The
effect on my mind was startling in the extreme. To put it with my
customary dash of humor--her face informed me that the most sensible
action which Michael Vanstone, Esq., formerly of Zurich, had ever
achieved in his life was the action he performed at Brighton on the 29th
instant.
Finding the dead silence in the room singularly unpleasant under
existing circumstances, I thought I would make a remark. My regard
for my own interests supplied me with a subject. I mentioned the
Entertainment.
"After what has happened," I said, "I presume we go on with our
performances as usual?"
"No," she answered, behind the veil. "We go on with my inquiries.
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