The Web of the Golden Spider Part 11

"David!"

Her voice was tender with sympathy.

"And you--I came back to the study for you. You were gone."

"We were hidden. There is a secret room where we stayed until daylight."

"Then it was----"

"The priest. Sorez was so weak and frightened."

"He came for the image?"

"Yes, but he did not get it. Was it he who--who hurt you, David?"

"It must have been. It was just as I came into the study."

"And he carried you out?"

"Because he thought the house empty, I guess, and feared I was hurt worse than I was."

"And you really are not badly hurt?"

"Not badly."

"But how much--in what way?"

"Just a blow on the head. Please not to think about it."

"I have thought so many horrible things."

"Where are you now?"

"Mr. Sorez did not dare to stay there. He really is much stronger, and so he came here to a friend's. I did not dare to let him come alone."

"But you aren't going to stay there. What are you going to do now?"

He thought she hesitated for a moment.

"I can't tell, David. My head is in such a whirl."

"You ought to go back home," he suggested.

"Home? My home is with my father, and nowhere else."

"I want to see you."

"And I want to see you, David, but----"

"I'm coming out there now."

"No! no! not yet, David."

"Why not?"

"Because----"

"Why not? I must see you."

"Because," she said, as though with sudden determination, "because first I wish to make up my mind to something. I must do it by myself, David."

"I'll not disturb you in that. I just wish to see you."

"But you would disturb me."

"How?"

"I can't tell you."

There was a moment's pause. Then,

"David, I may go away a long distance."

"Where?"

"I can't tell you now, but I may go at once. This--this may be the last time I can talk with you for--oh, for months."

He caught his breath.

"What do you mean by that? What has happened?"

"I have promised not to tell."

"But you must, girl. Why--you--this man Sorez has no right to exact promises from you. He----"

"You don't understand, David. It--it has to do with my father and with--with what I saw."

"In that cursed image?"

"Yes, the image. But it is not cursed, David."

"It is--it is if it takes you away."

"You see," she trembled, "you see, I can't discuss it with you."

"But I don't see. I think you ought--you must----"

"Must, David?"