The Disappearance of Mrs. Macrecham

ng heaven and earth to find her, dead or living. Already a whisper of crime is in the air. Wagging fingers point my way. Searching eyes see guilt upon my brow. If I move abroad, my steps are dogged. To all intents and purposes, the avengers of blood are already upon my heels--I am a marked man! Nor is it strange, for all this time Mrs. Macrecham is hidden in the cupboard of my room. And--and, Durrant--"

Waller came closer to me. He laid his trembling hand upon my arm. He looked at me with fevered eyes.

"There's another thing. I--I am afraid that Mrs. Macrecham's ill. I--I am not an authority on cats, but I fear that either the food which I have given her has disagreed with her digestion, or else the close confinement has proved trying to her constitution. I dare not let her loose; think--think of the long chain of possibilities if Mrs. Macrecham should go philandering on the tiles! Certainly she appears unwell. She refuses all food, and appears to be possessed by a constant lassitude."

He