Although Mr. Underwood escaped the stroke which it was feared might
follow the excitement of his final interview with Walcott, it was soon
apparent that his nervous system had suffered from the shock. His
physician became insistent in his demands that he not only retire from
business, but have an entire change of scene, to insure absolute
relaxation and rest. This advice was earnestly seconded by Mr. Britton,
not alone for the sake of his friend's health, but more especially
because he believed it unsafe for Mr. Underwood or Kate to remain in
that part of the country so long as Walcott had his liberty. Their
combined counsel and entreaties at length prevailed.
A responsible man was found to take charge, under Mr. Britton's supervision, of Mr.
Underwood's business interests. The Pines was closed, two or three
faithful servants being retained to guard and care for the property, and
early in April Mr. Underwood, accompanied by his sister and daughter,
left Ophir ostensibly for the South. They remained south, however, only
until he had recuperated sufficiently for a longer journey, and then
sailed for Europe, but of this fact no one in Ophir had knowledge save
Mr. Britton.
During the last days of Kate's stay in Ophir she watched in vain for
another glimpse of her strange friend. On the morning of her departure,
as the train was leaving the depot, she suddenly saw the olive-skinned
messenger of former occasions running alongside the Pullman in which
she was seated. Catching her eye, he motioned for her to raise the
window; she did so, whereupon he tossed a little package into her lap,
pointing at the same time farther down the platform, and lifting his
ragged sombrero, vanished. An instant later the Señora came into view,
standing at the extreme end of the platform, a lace mantilla thrown
about her head and shoulders, the ends of which she now waved in token
of farewell. Kate held up the little package with a smile; she responded
with a deprecatory gesture indicative of its insignificance, then with
another wave of the lace scarf and a flutter of Kate's handkerchief,
they passed out of each other's sight.
Kate hastily undid the package; a little box of ebony inlaid with pearl
slipped from the wrappings, which, upon touching a secret spring,
opened, disclosing a small cross of Etruscan gold of the most exquisite
workmanship. In her first letter to Mr. Britton Kate related the
incident, and begged him to look out for the woman and render her any
assistance possible.
To this Mr. Britton needed no urging. Since his first sight of her that
night in Mr. Underwood's office he had been looking for her, for a
twofold purpose. For a number of weeks he failed to get even a glimpse
of her, nor could he obtain any clew to her whereabouts.