20/26 As your mother I should have been unworthy to stay beneath it and have denied that shelter or withheld it until I knew his name and what he was. He stayed here until he could be removed. It will probably tell you if he was the man this person is seeking." "Thank you, mother," said Hale, lifting her hand to his lips quietly; "and perhaps you will kindly tell these gentlemen that, as your son does not care to know who or what the stranger was, there is no necessity for opening the letter, or keeping Mr.Stanner a moment longer." "But you will oblige ME, John, by opening it before these gentlemen," said Mrs.Hale recovering her voice and color. "Please to follow me," she said preceding them to the staircase. |