They cannot come that way."
"Of whom are you afraid, poor young lady? Nobody would harm you, I am
sure; such a gentle, tender thing as you seem to be!"
"Oh, yes! Fiends are on my track! Don't let them get possession of me
again, Mr. Burress. I am pursued--yes--faster--faster!"
"But what has startled you, poor thing, since we left the Repository?
You seemed quite calm after the Perkins elixir--and those tears. Ah! I
understand!" and he coughed several times significantly. The doctor will
set all right, I suppose, when I give you into his hands. I am glad I
came with you myself--courage, we shall soon be there!"
"Yes--yes--he is my only hope! I will explain all when we are safe with
him. It is not as you think! I have no strength now. Don't question me
further, it exhausts me to talk. Just drag me along."
And silently and valiantly did he betake himself to his task. The
noisome alley was threaded, and again we emerged into the sleety,
lamp-lit street, a few doors from the corner of that block, in the
centre of which Dr. Pemberton resided.
As we approached the friendly threshold, the exact situation of which
was familiar to my companion, he pointed it out triumphantly with his
stick.
"We shall soon be there," he reiterated, "no need for hurry now." But
as he spoke I saw a carriage turn the corner we were facing, and again I
urged on my lagging escort to his utmost speed.
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