Unwontedsilencereigned。Hetappedonthenurserydoor。Itwasdeserted;hepassedthroughtoNoel’sroom;butthattoowasempty。
Thewardrobestoodopenasifithadbeenhastilyransacked，andherdressing—tablewasbare。Inalarmhewenttothebellandpulleditsharply。Theold—fashionedringofitjingledoutfarbelow。Theparlour—maidcameup。
\"WhereareMissNoelandNurse，Susan？\"
\"Ididn’tknowyouwerein，sir。MissNoelleftmethisnotetogiveyou。They——I——\"
Piersonstoppedherwithhishand。\"Thankyou，Susan;getmesometea，please。\"Withthenoteunopenedinhishand，hewaitedtillshewasgone。Hisheadwasgoinground，andhesatdownonthesideofNoel’sbedtoread: