Читать книгу On the Brink of a Chasm: A record of plot and passion онлайн

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Having done this, Nurse Ives stole down-stairs on tiptoe and motioned the cabby to leave his horse and enter the house.

“I want you to move a trunk down,” she said. “Will your horse remain quiet while you are away?”

“Oh, yes; there’s no fear of him,” answered the man. “You haven’t much luggage, have you?

“No, only the one trunk, and it is not specially heavy. Go up-stairs as quietly as you can.”

The man did so. He lifted the trunk on his shoulder.

“It’s a queer shape,” he said to the woman.

“It’s a very convenient shape,” she answered. “Skirts of dresses do not get creased in a trunk like that. I had it made on purpose.”

The man hoisted it on his shoulder and went quietly down-stairs.

He put the trunk on the cab, and Nurse Ives shut the door of 12 Ashley Mansions behind her. At about half-past twelve she reached her own place. The cabby carried the trunk up-stairs for her and laid it inside the room. The lamp was lit here, and the gas stove was burning brightly. On the table in the center of the room was something covered with a white cloth. Nurse Ives paid the cabman, who withdrew.