A Confidential Agent Author:James Payn Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. Excerpt from book: Section 3CHAPTER XXXVIII. DESERTERS. The ordinary proceedings of Uncle Stephen, though it is true he did not often stir abroad, were too erratic to cause inquiry as to his absence from home ;... more » and moreover the only person who would have been privileged to ask questions—and had, indeed, occasionally done so in her artless way—was much too absorbed in her own sad thoughts to do so now. But nevertheless Mr. Durham was on thorns throughout the day lest some allusion should be made to his visit that morning to Bloomsbury. He fancied that he read suspicion in Amy's eyes, although at most she could only guess, of course, that he had been engaged on some expedition concerning Matthew ; and he felt—what that gentleman's socictv had never before afforded him 37 —a great relief and satisfaction when the hour came round for Mr. Frank Barlow's return from business. No practical help, indeed, was likely to come from him—nor, indeed, from any quarter—but in communicating what had happened to him he felt that the burden on his own shoulders, which was becoming intolerable, would at least be lightened by being shared. Until after dinner, however, nothing could be said, on account of Amy's presence, who seemed more depressed about her sister's condition than usual. 'It is not only that she cannot sleep,' she said, ' but her restlessness and anxiety during the daytime has become more acute. She is very still; but walks about her room continually, except when she is writing at her desk.' ' What does she write ? ' inquired Mr. Barlow. ' That she will not tell me. When 1 am with her she does not do it; she shuts her desk and locks it (as though, poor darling,she feared even I should pry into her secret), and sometimes I have seen quite a heap of notepaper torn up to shreds and lying at her feet.' ' It is a serio...« less