第453章 MR. LEPEL AND THE HOUSEKEEPER(67)

"Something has happened which they are evidently afraid to tell you, knowing the high opinion which you have of Mrs. Mozeen. She has suddenly quitted your service, and has gone, nobody knows where. I have taken charge of a letter which she left for you."He handed me the letter. As soon as I had recovered myself, Ilooked at it.

There was this inscription on the address: "For my good master, to wait until he returns home." The few lines in the letter itself ran thus:

"Distressing circumstances oblige me to leave you, sir, and do not permit me to enter into particulars. In asking your pardon, Ioffer my sincere thanks for your kindness, and my fervent prayers for your welfare."That was all. The date had a special interest for me. Mrs. Mozeen had written on the day when she must have received my letter--the letter which has already appeared in these pages.

"Is there really nothing known of the poor woman's motives?" Iasked.

"There are two explanations suggested," the doctor informed me.